Grimsby restaurant faces large fine for UK immigration offences

Acting on information, UK Border Agency officers visited Mr Chips on Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, last week and questioned staff to ensure they had a UK Visa and the right to work in the UK.

Six employees were on site at the time of the visit, and two Pakistan nationals were arrested for UK immigration offences.

Mr Chips has been issued with a penalty notice and could now be fined up to £20,000, unless the owner can prove they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on their employees.

The enforcement operation was part of a nationwide summer campaign by the UK Border Agency to tackle illegal working, sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised immigration crime.

Damian Green, the Immigration Minister, said: “The government has tasked the UK Border Agency with carrying out an intense period of enforcement activity over the summer. We are determined to create a hostile environment which makes it harder than ever for illegal immigrants to come to the UK and put down roots.

“Illegal immigration puts untold pressure on public services at a time when this country cannot afford to support people not entitled to it. That's why the UK Border Agency is working day in, day out to cut out the routes - such as sham marriages, bogus colleges and organised traffickers - being used by foreign nationals to try and stay in the UK permanently,” he said. 

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The UK Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their  UK Visa applications to the British Embassy.