Multitudes Detained During a Seven-Day Enforcement Action Against Asylum Seekers Employed by Delivery Services
The UK has seen a surge in arrests of asylum seekers working illegally for delivery firms, as part of a focused government operation dubbed "Operation Equalize". This week-long crackdown, which took place from July 20 to 27, 2025, resulted in the stopping and questioning of 1,780 individuals suspected of illegal working, leading to 280 arrests, many of them linked to companies like Deliveroo, Uber Eats, and Just Eat[1][2][3][5].
The operation, which targeted illegal migrant workers in the gig economy, particularly delivery riders, aimed to address cases where asylum seekers housed in government hotels were working illegally to pay smugglers[1][3][5]. As part of this effort, the Home Office has allocated a £5 million boost, as part of a broader £100 million investment in border security, to strengthen immigration enforcement efforts and increase visits to suspected illegal working hotspots[3][4][5].
Alongside arrests, 53 individuals are undergoing asylum support reviews, which could result in the suspension or withdrawal of benefits and accommodation, while 89 detainees face pending removal from the country[2][5]. Civil penalties and fines have also been imposed on 51 businesses found employing illegal workers[2].
In an effort to combat this issue, the government has secured agreements with major delivery companies to share information and strengthen worker identity verification. This includes ramped-up facial recognition and fraud checks to prevent illegal employment[2][5]. Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle has stated that illegal working is being cracked down on across the UK, while Shadow home secretary Chris Philp has criticized the Labour party for not addressing the issue[2][6].
The Home Office has also announced plans to provide £5m to immigration enforcement teams for increased visits to these areas over the coming months. Chris Philp, the Home Secretary, has described one asylum seeker hotel as a "black-market, courier hub in plain sight", alleging illegal food delivery operations from the site[2].
This crackdown reflects rising political pressure to control illegal immigration, and the Home Office emphasizes that illegal working undermines border security. As the operation continues, seizures of vehicles and illicit goods connected to illegal workers have also been reported[2].
In conclusion, the increase in arrests is a result of a coordinated government strategy involving targeted enforcement, increased funding, new legal requirements on employers, and cooperation with delivery platforms to curb illegal working by asylum seekers in the UK's delivery sector[1][2][3][5].
[1] BBC News, "UK crackdown on asylum seekers working for delivery firms", July 27, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "Illegal working by asylum seekers targeted in UK crackdown", July 27, 2025. [3] Sky News, "UK government announces crackdown on illegal working by asylum seekers", July 26, 2025. [4] The Telegraph, "Home Office boosts immigration enforcement with £5m crackdown fund", July 26, 2025. [5] ITV News, "Delivery firms to strengthen checks following UK crackdown on illegal working", July 27, 2025. [6] The Independent, "Chris Philp accuses Labour of being too scared to deport people breaking the law", July 28, 2025.
- The UK's crackdown on asylum seekers working illegally for delivery firms, operation "Operation Equalize," is a significant step in the government's policy-and-legislation strategy on combating illegal immigration and illegitimate work, which is gaining attention in general-news discussions and is intertwined with politics.
- The increases in arrests and seizures of vehicles and illicit goods, as part of the week-long operation in July 2025, have highlighted the importance of addressing crime-and-justice issues related to illegal working, particularly in the gig economy, and have led to calls for stronger border security and stricter immigration enforcement.
