UK Border Agency arrest two foreign nationals for immigration offence in Northern Ireland

THE UK Border Agency have arrested two men for immigration offences following checks at separate businesses in Northern Ireland.

A 23-year-old Bangladeshi man was detained after Home Office staff visited Babu’s mini market and newsagents in Gilford on Wednesday.

Officials also carried out checks on staff at the Dunbarton Street shop and the accused was found to have overstayed his visa.

Then, on Thursday night, a 25-year-old Bangladeshi man was caught at the Bangla restaurant on Main Street in Bangor and arrested for the same offence.

Both men are being held in Home Office detention in Larne House while steps are taken to remove them from Northern Ireland.

Mike Golden for the Home Office’s UK Border Agency said: “Foreign nationals who are in this country illegally should be in no doubt that they will be caught, arrested and removed from the UK.

“We are determined to crack down on immigration offenders and anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.”

The businesses where the men were arrested will now face fines of up to £10,000 each if they cannot provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the workers.