Seven workers arrested in immigration raid
Seven illegal workers were arrested at a factory in Wednesbury after immigration officers and police swooped on the site.
Officers acting on intelligence carried out the raid at Proplas, in Mounts Road with staff questioned on whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.
The operation was carried out by the Home Office's Immigration Enforcement. Officials yesterday said seven men had been arrested.
Two, aged 22 and 32, were found to be working in breach of their visa conditions.
Both were detained while steps are taken to remove them from the UK.
Five others were found to have overstayed their visas.
Officials said one 24-year-old man had been placed on immigration bail and will have to report regularly to the Home Office while his case is progressed.
Four other men, three 25 years olds and a 22-year-old, were detained while steps are taken to remove them from the country.
Officials said the company had been notified it could be liable for a civil penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker if proof is not provided correct right-to-work checks were carried out.
This is a potential fine of up to £140,000.
But bosses at the plastics mouldings firm today said they had believed all seven men arrested had the necessary permissions to work in the UK.
Director Jag Khera said: "The company complied fully when the operation was carried out.
"All seven of the men detained provided the business with proof they were permitted to work in the UK."
Home Office bosses said the operation had been carried out in partnership with West Midlands Police.
West Midlands Fire Service also carried out its own checks on the premises.
Assistant director of West Midlands Immigration Enforcement Mary Halle said the operation had been a success.
"This operation is an example of the regular visits the Home Office Immigration Enforcement carries out across the West Midlands to businesses believed to be employing illegal workers," she said.
"Employers must, by law, check whether the people they hire have the right to work in this country.
"Businesses failing to carry out the correct checks can expect to face heavy financial penalties."
Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can visit www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
