Minister defends publishing raids footage in illegal worker arrests crackdown A Home Office minister has defended the Government’s decision to publish footage of immigration raids as part of a border security crackdown as she insisted Labour’s policy is “compassionate”.
Asked about the Government’s decision to publish pictures and footage of immigration raids, Dame Angela told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “It’s important that we show what we are doing and it’s important that we send messages to people who may have been sold lies about what will await them in the UK if they get themselves smuggled in.
Asked whether the policy is in line with Sir Keir Starmer’s previous pledge to create an immigration system “based on compassion and dignity”, Dame Angela added: “I don’t believe for one minute that enforcing the law and ensuring that people who break the law face the consequences of doing that, up to and including deportation, arrest, is not compassionate.
Dame Angela Eagle has said it is important to show what the Government is doing as the Home Office announced a surge in arrests of illegal workers across sites including restaurants, nail bars and car washes in January this year.
“Not only does this create a dangerous draw for people to risk their lives by crossing the Channel in a small boat, but it results in the abuse of vulnerable people, the immigration system and our economy.”.
