Two individuals who have overstayed their UK visas are facing forced removal from the country, it has been confirmed.
The two men were both found in Slough earlier this month and have since been arrested while their cases are processed. The first, a 25-year-old Pakistani, was arrested at the Chicken Delite takeaway on. He was found to have been living and working illegally after his student visa was curtailed.
A second man – a 22-year-old also from Pakistan – was discovered at the first man's home address when officers conducted a search. Checks revealed that his UK visa had also expired and both men are now being held in custody ahead of their removal from the country.
Meanwhile, the company that employed the 25-year-old man could have some problems of its own on his hands. If the takeaway cannot prove that it conducted the legally required right-to-work checks before employing the man, it could be forced to pay a fine of up to £10,000 for employing an illegal worker.
Paul Smith, assistant director at the UK Border Agency, commented: “Those tempted to overstay their visas should be aware of the serious consequences. If you choose not to go you will be arrested, detained and removed and you will also be banned from returning.”
“We're also asking all employers to make sure they carry out full and proper checks on their staff. We carry out regular enforcement visits and will continue to issue civil penalty notices of up to £10,000 to employers who use illegal labour,” he added.
The checks that need to be made by law can be as simple as asking for and taking copies of original immigration documents before the employee stars work but the procedure needs to be followed in order to protect the employer from liability for perpetuating illegal working.