Suspected illegal immigrants arrested in Derry

The owners of a Chinese restaurant in Derry are facing possible fines of up to £60,000 after three people were arrested on the premises on suspicion of being illegal immigrants.

A 46-year-old Chinese woman, 30-year-old Chinese man and 29-year-old Malaysian man were working in the kitchen at China Garden takeaway (pictured) on Foyle Street last Thursday.

Immigration Enforcement Officers arrived at the premises and asked to establish where they had the right to live and work in the UK.

When they were unable to produce the relevant information, the two men and woman were arrested.

A spokesperson for the British Home Office, which is in charge of immigration issues, said the three people had been taken to ‘immigration detention’ while steps are taken to remove them from the country.

The spokesperson said that their visit to the Derry takeaway was based on ‘intelligence’ received.

The spokesperson said the restaurant had been service with a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home This is a potential total of £60,000.

Mike Golden, from Immigration Enforcement in Northern Ireland said: “We are working hard to counter illegal working and those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts businesses who ply an honest trade and deprives legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK. Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.

“I would urge anyone with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse to contact us.”