Two Vietnamese men have been arrested following immigration raids on a Huddersfield nail bar.
And their alleged employer Lisa VN Nails in Imperial Arcade has been served with a penalty notice and could now face fines of up to £40,000 if documents are not produced to prove their workers’ entitlements.
Immigration Enforcement officers carried out three raids on beauty premises in West Yorkshire on Thursday including the Lisa VN Nails in the Imperial Arcade.
Staff were questioned to check they had the right to live and work in the UK.
At Lisa VN Nails, two Vietnamese men, both aged 25, were arrested for allegedly being in the UK illegally.
Both are now detained pending their removal from the country.
Deputy Director Anita Bailey, from Home Office Immigration Enforcement, said: “The message to businesses in West Yorkshire using illegal labour is clear. Our enforcement teams will catch you and if the correct checks have not been carried out you will pay a heavy penalty.
“Illegal working cheats the taxpayer, undercuts honest employers and often exploits some of society’s most vulnerable people.
“We rely on information from the public and I would urge people to report suspected immigration abuse to us.”
The other raids were carried out at Pretty Nails in Market Place, Otley and Summer Nails, Otley Road, Guiseley.
A 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were found to be illegally in the UK at the premises respectively.
Both were left in care of social services.
Information to help employers prevent illegal working can be found at https:// www.gov.uk/government/collections/employers-illegal-working-penalties . Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact https:// www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
