Over the past few months several Southall businesses have been raided by the UK Border Agency in search of illegal workers.

Last year an undercover BBC News investigation highlighted the problem of illegal immigration in Southall. Groups of men gathered at the bottom of King Street looking for any form of employment.

After resident complaints, the authorities finally decided to act. In April 2009, a number of signs were put up in the area warning van drivers and builders about the penalties for employing illegal workers.

But arresting illegal immigrant is not as lucrative as targeting businesses that employ them.

In October 2008, around 20 illegal immigrants were arrested by the UK Border Agency at G&B Windows in Johnson Street, Southall.

The employer faced a potential fine of up to £190,000. Actual civil penalty imposed was £55,000.

In March 2009, 15 people were arrested at Quality Foods on the Witley Industrial Estate, Southall. Quality Foods face a potential fine of £190,000.

In early April 2009, nine people were arrested at KMB Caterers, on the Balfour Business Centre industrial estate, Balfour Road, Southall.

KMB faces a potential fine of up to £90,000 for failing to carry out the proper right-to-work checks on the nine workers.

In May 2009, 5 men were arrested at G&B Windows on Johnson Street, Southall. The company now faces a potential fine of up to £50,000 for employing the men illegally.

G&B Windows had already been fined £55,000 for the October 2008 offence. Chaudhry’s TKC on Southall Broadway was also raided in May by the UK Border Agency and 4 people were arrested. The restaurant faces a potential fine of £40,000.

This is not the first time Chaudhry’s TKC has been raided by the UK Border Agency.

Being raided once is no guarantee that businesses won’t be raided again.

The following tables lists actual civil penalties imposed on Southall businesses.

Name of Company	Illegal workers	Civil Penalty imposed	Date of Penalty
Medina Dairy Limited	7	£52,500	July 2008
Rita’s Curry House	4	£20,000	August 2008
Top Asian Wear	1	£5,000	September 2008
Roshni Restaurant	4	£20,000	October 2008