SEVENTEEN immigrants suspected of living in Luton illegally were arrested during four days of raids by the UK Border Agency.
On February 9, officials swooped on Smokers Paradise in George Street and arrested two Indian students – aged 20 and 21 – working at the shop.
The 21-year-old had made a fraudulent claim to extend his student visa and was removed from the UK on Saturday (February 18), while the other remains in detention after having entered the UK illegally.
But the co-owner of the newsagent’s shop, Nirmal Paji, who faces a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker, claimed when contacted by the Herald&Post that everything was above board.
He said: “They have student visas valid until April 2013. We have P45s, copies of national insurance numbers and copies of passports. We have all the paperwork. I will appeal if they fine me.”
Seven Pakistani men, aged 39 to 69 and living in a house in Millfield Road, were arrested during a raid just before 7am on Monday (February 20). Four were detained while the other three were granted immigration bail.
Five Pakistani men, aged 27 to 71, who had overstayed their visas, were found in Newark Road on February 13. Three were detained while two were given bail.
Two other men have already been deported. One, a 26-year-old Indian, who had overstayed his visa, was arrested in Union Street and sent home on February 13.
Also on February 13, a failed Afghan asylum seeker, aged 20, was arrested in Hazelbury Crescent.
Also, a 23-year-old Pakistani man was found to be living in the UK illegally in Crawley Road and was removed from the country on February 14.
Melanie Partridge, of the UK Border Agency, said: “We carry out regular raids in Luton – these were particularly productive.
“Three of the arrested men have already been removed from the UK and we are working towards the same goal for the remainder.
“Illegal immigration puts pressure on the public purse at a time when the country can least afford it.”