In the UK, enforcement efforts related to immigration — including tackling illegal working, deporting individuals without lawful status, and conducting raids on premises employing undocumented migrants — have increased considerably in recent years. Below are the key drivers behind this increase.
1. Political and policy priorities
The current government has made immigration enforcement a central plank of its agenda. For example:
- According to a government press release, between 5 July 2024 and 31 January 2025, “enforced returns … up 24%” compared to the same period a year earlier”
- Another statement: “More than 24,000 people with no right to be here returned since July … highest rate of returns for eight years.”
- The government frames this as part of a broader “Plan for Change” to restore the immigration system. Illegal working enforcement soars in drive to strengthen border security.
Thus, the increase in enforcement reflects a deliberate shift in focus: demonstrating tough action, deterrence, and the return of those without lawful status.
2. Legal & operational changes enabling more enforcement
Several legislative and operational changes have increased the capacity for enforcement:
- The Illegal Migration Act 2023 (effective from 20 July 2023) gives the UK government new powers aimed at tackling arrivals by “illegal means”. Wikipedia
- The government has also increased resources: for instance, deploying an additional 1,000 staff to immigration enforcement teams.
- Technology and evidence-gathering tools are being expanded: body-worn cameras for officers, biometric fingerprint kits for frontline enforcement, etc
These changes mean that enforcement agencies are better able to act more frequently and more visibly.
3. Focus on illegal working and labour exploitation
A significant part of the enforcement rise is targeting illegal working and the businesses that employ undocumented workers. Key points:
- A report notes that illegal working enforcement “soars” with more than 9,000 visits and 6,410 arrests between 5 July 2024 and 31 May 2025 — a 51% rise in arrests compared to the prior year GOV.UK
- The Migrants’ Rights Network notes that in 2023 alone, civil penalties for employing people without permission reached over £28 million, and the penalty ceiling was increased to up to £60,000 per worker for repeat breaches in 2024.
- Enforcement visits are particularly targeting sectors like construction, nail bars, and restaurants — places where undocumented workers are likely to be employed. Migrant arrests for illegal working surge 51% as Government cracks down on rogue employers | LBC
Therefore, one driver is safeguarding the labour market, preventing exploitation of undocumented workers, and undermining the business models of illegal labour.
4. Pressure from illegal arrivals & asylum flows
Another driver is the high number of irregular arrivals, asylum claims and the perception (and political narrative) that the immigration system is under strain:
- The government frames return rates and enforcement as part of “restoring order to the asylum and immigration system”.
- Although enforcement is rising, arrivals continue, which in turn creates pressure for the government to demonstrate action. For example, the government said “the highest rate of returns for eight years” in response to the arrival of people with no right to stay.
5. Deterrence & signalling effect
Finally, enforcement is rising because it is intended to have a deterrent and signalling effect — to show businesses, individuals and smugglers that the state is serious:
- The use of large-scale raids, charter flights for returns, and publicising statistics all contribute to a visible enforcement regime.
As the Migrants’ Rights Network report states, immigration raids also function as “political theatre”, sending a message about the cost of non-compliance.
Implications for stakeholders
What does this rising enforcement mean for the various groups involved?
- For employers: Businesses must ensure that they carry out robust Right to Work checks, document their compliance procedures, and be aware of rising penalties (up to £60,000 per worker).
- For workers (especially undocumented or irregular workers): The risk of raids, arrest, loss of employment, and removal is higher. Vulnerable workers are more exposed to exploitation.
- For migration-aware organisations / NGOs: The environment is becoming more enforcement-intensive, which may impact access to workplaces, cooperation with enforcement, implications for legal rights of workers, etc.
- For smugglers / illegal networks: The state is signalling greater readiness to act, more resources deployed, and new tools in place — meaning the risk and cost of operations may increase.
For policy & legal practitioners: Staying abreast of new legislation, operational capabilities, and enforcement trends is critical.
Conclusion
The increase in enforcement within the UK’s immigration sector is not merely a cyclical rise — it results from a combination of political commitment, legal and operational reforms, a focus on the labour market, pressure on the system from irregular migration, and a calculated strategy of deterrence and visibility.
For any stakeholder — employers, workers, compliance professionals, immigration advisers — the message is clear: enforcement is intensifying, and the risks of non-compliance are greater than before.