Mahmood’s ICE-style immigration raid agency accused of ‘fishing expeditions’
This story was selected and curated by our editorial team in the Home Office category. Published on November 9, 2026 • Originally reported by Emiliano Mellino and Rajeev Syal. OMEGAZEPRIME provides independent news coverage and analysis for our readers. Stay informed with the latest developments.
Exclusive: Almost two-thirds of visits lead to no arrests and nearly three-quarters are conducted without a warrant
Shabana Mahmood’s ICE-style raid agency has been accused of engaging in “fishing expeditions” after figures disclosed that almost two-thirds of enforcement visits result in no arrests and nearly three-quarters are conducted without a warrant.
The home secretary has hailed the expanded use of immigration enforcement teams, and claimed they will help to secure the UK’s borders by removing a key incentive for irregular migration.
There were 23,538 immigration enforcement engagements such as workplace raids, home raids and spot checks in 2025 – or 60 a day. Of these, 15,578, or 66.1%, resulted in no arrests.
Only 25.81% of visits where a premises was accessed used a warrant. Critics say this suggests the Home Office is launching “fishing expeditions” based on weak intelligence.
Nearly nine out of 10 (89%) of leads alleging “immigration crime” in 2025 came from the public or from Crimestoppers, a charity that collects anonymous tip-offs. Around 2% came from the police.
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