Takeaway facing immigration fine

Owners of a Co Antrim kebab shop were facing a fine of up to £20,000 after immigration officials arrested two of its employees.

Two Pakistan nationals, aged 37 and 29, were arrested, one on suspicion of being an illegal immigrant and the other on suspicion of breach of visa conditions.

The owners of Raz Kebab in Carrickfergus must now show they carried out "right-to-work" checks on the men.

The arrests were made on Thursday after a raid on the restaurant.

Immigration Minister Damian Green 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."

The enforcement operation in Carrickfergus was part of a UK-wide summer campaign to tackle illegal working, bogus marriages, fake colleges and organised immigration crime.

Acting on information received, officials visited the premises and questioned employees.

The two men arrested are now in detention while the UK Border Agency makes arrangements for their removal.

Raz Kebabs has been issued with a penalty notice which means it could be fined up to £20,000, unless bosses can prove they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on their employees.

Source - Yahoo.