A Swindon car wash is facing fines of up to £80,000 after immigration officers found a number of illegal immigrants during an intelligence-led operation yesterday afternoon.
Immigration Enforcement units attended Swift Car Wash and Valet on Wescott Place at around midday, discovering four workers who didn’t have permission to work in the UK.
The men – two 20-year-olds from Iran and Iraq, a 27-year-old Syrian and a 23-year-old Brazilian – were escorted from the premises and must report regularly to the Home Office while their cases are dealt with.
The Iranian, Iraqi and Syrian had all entered the country illegally, while the Brazilian was working in breach of his visit visa.
A Home Office spokesperson told Wiltshire 999s: “Where businesses are found to be employing individuals with no right to work, the employer may be liable for a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker.
“This will be imposed unless the employer can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.
“Swift Car Wash and Valet was served a Civil Penalty Referral Notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per illegal worker will be imposed unless the employers can demonstrate that appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work. If proof is not provided, this is a potential total of up to £80,000.”
Despite the operation yesterday afternoon, the car wash continues to operate as normal.
