Latest news with #IllegalImmigration
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
My part in Britain's illegal immigration crisis
Illegal immigration – and how to respond to it – has transformed British politics over the last few years. It is why Reform is leading in the polls and why Labour and the Conservatives are both facing an existential crisis. What is less often considered is how our personal spending decisions are driving that illegal immigration. It is all well and good to bemoan what is happening in the abstract, but we then spend our cash with the food delivery companies and at the barber shops and nail bars which pull undocumented, illegal workers to our shores. This reality was brought home to me last weekend when I tried to do what I have done on countless occasions – order a beer at Royal China on Baker Street in London's West End. Royal China serves perhaps London's most sublime dim sum – not the most cuisine-y or original, but certainly leagues above most of the capital's establishments. My opinion on this is not an esoteric one. At weekend lunchtimes, its entrance and the street outside is thronging with people waiting to be called when a table is ready. And, best of all, you can still have a lunch for four without drinks for around £100, something of a bargain in London. I must have eaten at this restaurant, and the others in its group, hundreds of times over nearly 30 years and have a sentimental attachment to them. When the first branch opened in Queensway in Bayswater (now closed) in the mid 1990s, I was in my early 20s and used to go on Sundays with my mother after walks in Hyde Park. She was in and out of hospital at the time with the cancer that went on to kill her. When I was running a think tank and a magazine in Marylebone, I dragged our authors there – with little regard to whether they had a fondness for Chinese food. My two teenage sons have been going for longer than they can remember. What was different this time is that I was informed that the restaurant no longer serves alcohol, but I was welcome to bring my own drink. Corkage is now charged which, on my visit, ranged from £3 for unlimited beers to £50 for a bottle of whisky. Why the change? After a raid by immigration officials, the restaurant lost its alcohol licence last August when it was found to be employing nine members of staff who were here illegally. It was also fined £360,000 by the Home Office. This was the third time the restaurant had fallen foul of the law, having already had to pay penalties totalling £110,000. All the fines were swiftly paid, and other branches of the restaurant in Canary Wharf and Harrow, as well as its more upmarket Michelin-guide listed sibling, Royal China Club, a hundred yards or so further north on Baker Street, are not accused of similar breaches and are still merrily serving alcohol. The output of council staff is not usually written to entertain, but the City of Westminster's submission on Royal China makes for quite some reading. Of their 2018 raid, the report states: 'Upon officers parking the vehicles, one worker at the rear of the restaurant ran inside and warned the other workers that immigration officers were present, officers… could see staff running through the restaurant and discarding their uniform. 'There were 28 staff members encountered in total, nine members of staff were found to be working illegally and arrested. 'During the visit the fire alarm was set off… In the commotion one Chinese female who had admitted to entering the United Kingdom illegally managed to escape. The fire brigade attended and informed the officer in charge that there had been no fire and that the fire alarm had been pressed by someone inside the restaurant.' And the record of last year's raid is similar: 'Upon officers entering the front of the premises they were asked by the staff member behind the bar to wait for the manager to arrive. 'Whilst officers were waiting, eight staff members attempted to escape from the premises via a lift at the rear loading area, another two members of staff fled via a rear staircase. Nine members of staff were arrested by the officers positioned at the rear and one male escaped. 'There were 29 staff members encountered in total, this time nine more illegal workers were found. The illegal workers consisted of six Indonesian males who had overstayed their visas, two Malaysian males who had overstayed their visas and one Chinese female who was working in breach of her visit visa conditions. The workers were arrested and escorted off the premises. 'One worker reported that they worked washing dishes 11 hours per day, six days per week and earning £400 a week, (around £6 per hour compared to the minimum wage of £11.44 per hour).' Royal China is not an obscure establishment on some backstreet. If somewhere so public-facing in so prominent a location has flagrantly abused its position, what is going on elsewhere? One must assume, after being fined a total of £470,000, it is now compliant with the law. My attempt to satiate a lunchtime craving for a beer has caused me to ask: has my fondness for dim sum, in however small a way, contributed to Britain's illegal immigration crisis?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Border Patrol morale goes through the roof, 'dramatically' changed under Trump administration
TUCSON SECTOR, ARIZONA– Under the bright sun, Border Patrol agents Daniel Hernandez and Teresa Fast glisten with sweat as they stride along the rusted fence separating the United States and Mexico. They revealed the reality of what life is like working at the border. "A few months ago, before the election and before the previous administration, we were mostly doing processing of detained individuals," Hernandez told Fox News Digital. "That's an administrative duty that is part of our job, but it used to be a small sliver of it, [and we were] doing a large portion of that. Now it's inverse." "Now we're doing small slivers of the processing, and we're doing the bulk of patrolling duties. Most of our agents are out there patrolling." Chinese Illegal Immigrant Crossings That Surged During Biden Admin A 'National Security Concern,' Expert Warns "We're historically one of the busiest sectors," the homeland security agent said. "We're at [a] 91% reduction [rate] over last year's amounts, but that's because we're out here every single day." "If we were to take our foot off the gas and just assume the border's secure, then we would lose what we had gained. So every single day we have to invest in patrolling," he added. Read On The Fox News App According to the White House, as of April 28 of this year, illegal border crossings "are down by 95%" when compared to numbers under the Biden administration. Border Czar Tom Homan's Message To Anti-ice Protesters: 'You Want Some? Come Get Some' Previously restrained by budget cuts that impeded the completion of their duties, the border patrol agents communicated a renewed sense of faith for increasing safety for all involved. "People are less inclined to climb a fence of this magnitude," Hernandez relayed while pointing to the southern border wall. "If they do, they have to go up high, then our cameras or our agents can spot them if they go up high. So that's the advantage of having robust infrastructure on the border that buys us time to get here." "Smugglers will try anything. It's shocking that they will risk somebody's life by getting them up on a really small, handmade ladder," he continued. "[It's one] way somebody might try to defeat the border wall… and people will always try." Trump Stunned By Change In Southern Border Crossings: 'Hard To Believe' The empathy portrayed by agents when considering the human element of deportations and illegal crossings is an echoed sentiment among Tucson sector Border Patrol chief, Sean McGoffin. Fast added, "The men and the women of the patrol are really what makes it run. That's what keeps our country safer, the people who are giving up those games with their kids and their [holidays] and working night shifts – that's what keeps our country safe. That's really what it is, the men and the women of the border patrol."Original article source: Border Patrol morale goes through the roof, 'dramatically' changed under Trump administration Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Starmer and Macron race to strike 'one in, one out' Channel migrant deal as MORE boats cross today… but pact would only cover 50 arrivals a week
Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron are racing to finalise a 'one in, one out' Channel migrant deal as more boats were seen crossing today. The PM and the French president embraced on the steps of Downing Street as he arrived for talks on the final day of his State Visit to the UK. Kicking off a summit, Mr Macron said the countries 'shared the same will' to tackle illegal immigration. Sir Keir said they would deploy 'new tactics' and a 'new level of intent'. The outlines of a pact have been emerging, with Britain returning some small boat arrivals to France, while accepting equal numbers of asylum seekers. Supporters say the idea will deter people from making the perilous crossing, although critics have branded it a 'migrant merry go round'. However, according to details leaked to French media just 50 Channel migrants per week are expected to be returned. That would be just one in 17 of the current level of arrivals, which stands at 44,000 for the year so far. Border Force vessels have been sent as part of the response to multiple boats today. The red carpet was rolled out for Mr Macron's arrival at Downing Street today Nigel Farage posted on X that he was also in the Channel and saw 78 migrants, including four women and children. He told GB News: 'This is a classic day in the English Channel over the last five years when the weather's calm, or a red day, as they call it. 'You've got a migrant boat and we've seen it through the binoculars. 'There's about 70 people on board, being escorted, all the way over by the French Navy and behind us, we have Border Force sitting on the 12-mile line, waiting for the handover.' At the start of the UK-France summit, Mr Macron said: 'We share the same will to tackle networks of illegal immigration through great co-ordination with other European countries. 'We have often mentioned France is the last destination before Great Britain for these men and women who often journey through paths of misery and are exploited by traffickers. 'We will work with countries of first entry in Europe (as) our intention is also to engage all countries who share a responsibility alongside us.' Sir Keir said: 'In uncertain times, we achieve more by strengthening our relationship with our allies, so that is what today is all about working together on the priorities that we share as two nations. 'For us, it's about delivering the changes that the British people want to see, and we will agree the situation in the Channel cannot go on as it is. So we're bringing new tactics into play and a new level of intent to tackle illegal migration and break the business model of the criminal gangs.' Downing Street tried to ease tensions yesterday after Mr Macron used a speech to Parliament to complain about 'pull factors' encouraging people to try to cross in the first place. 'The Prime Minister spoke of his Government's toughening of the system in the past year to ensure rules are respected and enforced, including a massive surge in illegal working arrests to end the false promise of jobs that are used to sell spaces on boats,' a spokesman said. Mr Macron played up the warmth in the relationship by using the theme tune to TV show Friends in an Instagram video about his visit. Touring broadcast studios this morning, Defence Secretary John Healey dismissed concerns of a blame game between the countries. He told Sky News: 'The discussions are only taking place because over the last year, we've been able to establish with the French a recognition that this is a shared challenge, that they are working together with us, and that's the reason that we've seen increased beach patrols, more drone patrols.' He added: 'As a Government, we're not interested in blame. 'We're interested in taking the action together that can help reduce the number of small boats coming across, the number of lives also being lost in the Channel… 'And we're interested in re-establishing the control of our borders that the previous government lost in the recent years.' Both Mr Macron and Sir Keir aim for 'concrete progress' on the matter at Thursday's summit, No 10 said, as well as in other areas like support for Ukraine. Following the French-UK summit, the two leaders will host a call with coalition of the willing partners, the proposed peacekeeping mission to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine in future. In a sign of close alignment on defence, Britain and France have announced they will buy new supplies of Storm Shadow missiles, which both have loaned to Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russia. The two nations will also work closely to develop a successor to the long-range missile, the Ministry of Defence said.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Tory Frontbencher Left Red-Faced After Embarrassing Emmanuel Macron Gaffe On Sky News
A Tory frontbencher was left red-faced after admitting he didn't know when Emmanuel Macron is addressing parliament. The French president will give a speech to MPs and peers this afternoon as part of a three-day state visit to the UK. On Sky News this morning, Richard Fuller tried to correct presenter Wilfred Frost when he referred to the event. Frost has asked him: 'Do you look forward to seeing President Macron in parliament today?' But Fuller, the shadow Treasury secretary, replied: 'I don't think he's coming today, I think he's coming tomorrow. I think he's with the King today. But yeah, of course I am.' Realising he may have gaffed, he then told Frost: 'You're probably right actually.' After double-checking, the presenter said: 'It is today, 4pm today.' Laughing awkwardly, Fuller then said: 'See, I can't reply to people's emails.' Wilfred Frost: Do you look forward to seeing President Macron in parliament today? Richard Fuller(Tory MP): I think he's coming tomorrow WF: It's 4pm today — Haggis_UK 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Haggis_UK) July 8, 2025 Macron is due to hold talks with Keir Starmer about a co-operation deal between the UK and France over illegal immigration. The prime minister wants to reach an agreement with the French leader which would lead to fewer asylum seekers trying to cross the Channel on small boats. Reform UK Accuse Macron Of 'Outrageous And Deliberate Snub' For Not Meeting Nigel Farage Minister Says Starmer Will Not Replicate Macron's Viral Moment With Trump Minister Rejects Macron's Claim That UK And France Want A One-Month Truce In Ukraine War
Fox News
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump demands special prosecutor investigate 'stolen' 2020 election, loss to Biden
President Donald Trump has called for a special prosecutor to be appointed to investigate the 2020 presidential election, which he has long maintained was rigged against him and in favor of Joe Biden. In a fiery Truth Social post Friday, Trump praised his administration for cutting border crossings to zero in May compared to the Biden administration, which oversaw the release of 62,000 migrants into the country during the same time last year. Trump said it was incomprehensible a president could oversee such an influx of illegal immigration and then took aim at the 2020 election. "Zero Border crossings for the month for TRUMP, verses 60,000 for Sleepy, Crooked Joe Biden, a man who lost the 2020 Presidential Election by a "LANDSLIDE!" Trump wrote. "Biden was grossly incompetent and the 2020 election was a total FRAUD! The evidence is MASSIVE and OVERWHELMING. A Special Prosecutor must be appointed." Trump has argued for years that a series of alleged misdeeds led to Joe Biden's 2020 victory. In the lead-up to the Jan. 6, 2021, certification of the Electoral College results, several pro-Trump marches were held, culminating in a violent riot at the U.S. Capitol. Trump and his supporters failed to convince Vice President Mike Pence to delay the certification by sending the results back to key battleground states' legislatures to allow for further investigation or the consideration of alternate slates of electors. Pence rejected the demands, arguing that the Constitution did not give the vice president authority to decide which electoral votes to count. Trump and his allies filed dozens of lawsuits challenging the results in various states. Most lawsuits failed due to what judges determined was a lack of standing or insufficient evidence. Biden secured 306 electoral votes with 81.2 million votes compared to Trump's 232 electoral votes and 74.2 million votes. The president has made a variety of claims to support his assertion that the 2020 election was "stolen." Trump has argued that ballot harvesting "mules" deposited ballots at late-night ballot drops after deadlines in key swing states. He made the claims central to his 2024 re-election bid, often using the slogan "too big to rig" to urge supporters to turn out in force and overcome what he described as a rigged or unfair system. "This cannot be allowed to happen again in the United States of America!" Trump said in the post Friday. "Let the work begin! What this Crooked man, and his CORRUPT CRONIES, have done to our Country in 4 years, is grossly indescribable! MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump's attorney general in 2020, Bill Barr, said there no was evidence of fraud that could have affected the outcome, and the Department of Homeland Security's cybersecurity arm pronounced the election "the most secure in American history." It was unclear who Trump had in mind for a special prosecutor, but in the event Attorney General Pam Bondi heeds his call, she may face pressure to appoint someone who has already been confirmed by the Senate. The Justice Department in recent years has appointed a succession of special counsels — sometimes, though not always, plucked from outside the agency — to lead investigations into politically sensitive matters, including conduct by Biden and by Trump.
