A RAID that led to the arrest of two men suspected of being illegal immigrants could result in their employer being fined up to £40,000.
Zahid Awan, 55, owner of Unique Windows in Blyth Road, Hayes, failed to show that he carried out proper checks for the two men from Pakistan as well as for two Polish employees.
The raid was carried out by the UK Border Agency last Thursday morning.
Alex Legg, chief immigration officer at the Home Office, explained that the fine is about £10,000 per employee, and even though two of the men are EU citizens, the penalty could still be imposed.
He said: "One of the individuals from Pakistan was arrested because his visa had expired and the other because we found no records of his entry into the UK. He says he was brought here through an agent who had taken care of the documentation, and says he believes the information the agent based his entry into this country on is incorrect. We will now be going to their houses. If we find their passports, it will
help speed up the process of removing them from the country.
"This is sending out the message that employing illegal immigrants won't be tolerated."
Mr Awan said: "The two men [from Pakistan] came here two days ago. I asked if they had their paperwork and they said they do and they will be bringing it. They were just learning what they will be doing.
"I don't expect people to be illegal and I don't think I should have to carry out checks. And why are these people here in the first place? The police wouldn't be here wasting their time if they were at the borders where the problem starts."
Another company was raided on the same day, but no arrests were made because the employer was able to provide proper documentation for his staff.
