Home Office data released on 29 October show 214 arrests for illegal working in Northern Ireland between October 2024 and September 2025, compared with just 80 the previous year. The clamp-down formed part of ‘Operation Sterling’, which directed £5 million to raids on takeaways, car-washes and beauty salons.
Although the figures cover UK jurisdiction, the surge has implications for employers on both sides of the border: officials say many detained workers crossed from the Republic, exploiting minimal checks under the Common Travel Area. Irish companies seconding staff into Northern Ireland or hiring cross-border gig workers now face heightened scrutiny of right-to-work documents.
Immigration lawyers note that UK civil-penalty referral notices issued during the raids can also be pursued against sister companies in the Republic if there is evidence of facilitation. Multinationals operating all-Ireland supply chains—particularly in food service and logistics—should therefore review vendor-due-diligence processes.
Politically, the spike bolsters Dublin’s argument that coordinated CTA enforcement is needed to deter both asylum abuse and labour exploitation. Business federations are calling for a joint UK-Ireland employer toolkit to avoid unwitting non-compliance.
Although the figures cover UK jurisdiction, the surge has implications for employers on both sides of the border: officials say many detained workers crossed from the Republic, exploiting minimal checks under the Common Travel Area. Irish companies seconding staff into Northern Ireland or hiring cross-border gig workers now face heightened scrutiny of right-to-work documents.
Immigration lawyers note that UK civil-penalty referral notices issued during the raids can also be pursued against sister companies in the Republic if there is evidence of facilitation. Multinationals operating all-Ireland supply chains—particularly in food service and logistics—should therefore review vendor-due-diligence processes.
Politically, the spike bolsters Dublin’s argument that coordinated CTA enforcement is needed to deter both asylum abuse and labour exploitation. Business federations are calling for a joint UK-Ireland employer toolkit to avoid unwitting non-compliance.
