MANILA, Philippines – A total of 13 Filipinos were arrested in a series of crackdown operations against illegal immigrants in the United Kingdom.
In a press statement forwarded by the British Embassy in Manila, the Home Office UK Border Agency said it is taking the necessary steps to deport the 13 from the UK.
“Seven of the arrests took place during UK Border Agency raids on a number of addresses in Willesden, north-west London on Thursday, 16 September,” the UK Border Agency said.
It cited the operation in Willesden where authorities visited 3 addresses and found 50 people inside and in constructed accommodations.
Of the 50, 11 were arrested including 7 Filipino women and 3 Chinese for a variety of immigration offenses.
“The 7 Filipinos remain in detention pending their removal,” the Agency said.
The landlord of the property is also facing investigation by council planning and health and safety officials.
“This is the latest in a series of operations designed to find and remove those who have no right to live or work in the UK,” said Steve Fisher, head of the UK Border Agency’s Brent local immigration team.
“We continue to work closely with the police and other agencies to target those who are here illegally, and more raids like this are planned across the UK,” he added.
In 2009, 85 Filipino nationals were removed from the UK after being held in detention solely for immigration offences.
Meanwhile, Filipino travelers are urged to strictly comply with immigration laws when visiting UK.
“While the UK welcomes genuine visitors from the Philippines, we are also committed to tackling immigration abuse robustly, as evidenced by these recent arrests and removals. We also continue to work closely with the Philippines Government to raise awareness of this issue and to discourage people from offending,” said Ed Mackie, Regional Manager in the Philippines for the UK Border Agency.
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