The UK government has ramped up efforts to deport migrants who are in the country illegally, unveiling new images of deportation flights as part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration.
The Home Office reported a total of 5,074 enforced returns between July 2024 and January 2025—a nearly 25% increase compared to the previous year.
This includes the deportation of 2,925 foreign nationals who committed criminal offenses in the UK.
Although many individuals return to their home countries voluntarily, with financial assistance of up to £3,000 to help them resettle, the government has been actively increasing enforced removals.
Since the last general election, nearly 19,000 failed asylum seekers, foreign criminals, and illegal migrants have been deported, marking the highest rate since 2018.
Record-Breaking Deportation Flights
Officials revealed that the UK has conducted 39 chartered deportation flights to various destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America.
Among these, four flights set a new record as the largest in UK history, carrying over 850 individuals in total.
For the first time, the Home Office has published images of these deportation flights to demonstrate its commitment to border control.
The decision to release these images comes after ministers defended their move to broadcast footage of dawn raids leading to the arrests of illegal migrants.
They argue that showing these operations is both necessary and compassionate, despite criticism from political opponents.
Similar tactics have been employed by the Trump administration in the United States, which regularly shares images of deportations.
Home Secretary Defends Firm Approach
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that the government’s immigration policies are aimed at restoring public confidence.
She highlighted the increased resources allocated to enforcement, ensuring that individuals without legal rights to remain in the UK, especially those who have committed crimes, are swiftly removed.
“Our Plan for Change is focused on making sure immigration rules are respected and enforced,” she stated.
“I want to commend the tireless efforts of our Immigration Enforcement staff who work daily to ensure the system operates firmly and fairly.”
Spike in Immigration Arrests
Alongside deportations, the Home Office reported a surge in arrests related to illegal migration.
From July 2024 to January 2025, immigration officers carried out 5,424 operations, resulting in 3,930 arrests—an increase of 38% from the previous year.
In January alone, 609 illegal workers were arrested, the highest monthly figure since records began in 2019.
Workplace raids have also intensified.
In January 2025, enforcement officers conducted 828 inspections of businesses suspected of employing undocumented migrants—up from 556 in the same month last year and 171 in January 2019.
The government is now releasing details of these operations in response to political pressure, with Labour MPs in key constituencies calling for tougher measures on immigration to counter voter concerns.
The Human Cost of Illegal Employment
The crackdown on illegal work has uncovered distressing conditions for many undocumented migrants.
Officials revealed that individuals who enter the UK illegally often find themselves trapped in exploitative jobs, working inhumane hours for little or no pay.
According to the Home Office, criminal gangs play a key role in this cycle, luring migrants to the UK with false promises of employment opportunities.
Many end up in overcrowded, unsafe accommodations, with no legal protection from exploitative employers.
Major Workplace Raids and Arrests
Recent raids have resulted in significant arrests across various regions.
A sweep of vape shops in Cheshire led to 10 immigration arrests and two criminal arrests for counterfeit documentation.
In Humberside, an operation at an Indian restaurant resulted in seven arrests, while a grocery warehouse in South London saw six individuals detained.
Meanwhile, in Wales and the West of England, immigration arrests more than doubled compared to the previous year, rising from 45 to 101 in January 2025.
Government Defends Publicizing Immigration Raids
The government has faced criticism for releasing footage of immigration raids, but officials insist that transparency is essential.
Home Office Minister Dame Angela Eagle defended the policy, arguing that migrants must be aware of the risks of illegal entry.
“It’s important that we show what we are doing,” she said in a BBC Radio 4 interview.
“People who have been misled into thinking they’ll find stable jobs in the UK need to see the reality—they are more likely to be exploited and live in squalid conditions.”
When questioned about whether these actions align with Labour’s commitment to an immigration system based on compassion and dignity, Dame Angela responded, “Enforcing the law is not unkind.
Ensuring that those who break the law face the consequences is necessary for a functioning system.”
International Campaigns to Deter Illegal Migration
To curb the influx of illegal migrants, the UK government has also launched targeted awareness campaigns abroad.
In December 2024, a social media campaign was rolled out in Vietnam, followed by another in Albania in January 2025.
These campaigns aim to dissuade people from attempting dangerous and unlawful journeys to the UK.
What’s Next?
With immigration enforcement at record levels, the UK government is set to introduce new legislation aimed at dismantling human trafficking networks.
Ministers insist that firm action is needed to prevent illegal crossings and protect vulnerable migrants from exploitation.
However, as debates around immigration continue, the government faces ongoing scrutiny over its approach.
The question remains—will these tougher policies succeed in reducing illegal migration, or will they face resistance from human rights advocates and political opposition?