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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Texts to deter illegal migrants | Texts to deter illegal migrants |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Text messages reminding people not to overstay their visas are part of a new drive by the government to clamp down on illegal migrants. | Text messages reminding people not to overstay their visas are part of a new drive by the government to clamp down on illegal migrants. |
| The new policy calls for co-operation between government departments, the police and other bodies. | The new policy calls for co-operation between government departments, the police and other bodies. |
| Home Secretary John Reid said the new policy would make life "uncomfortable and constrained" for illegal entrants. | Home Secretary John Reid said the new policy would make life "uncomfortable and constrained" for illegal entrants. |
| But the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the policy was not realistic or humane. | But the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants said the policy was not realistic or humane. |
| Measures being introduced include a "watch list" of illegal migrants to alert government agencies if someone applies for services to which they are not entitled. | |
| Workplace enforcement teams will also attempt to track down companies employing people who should not be in the country. | |
| 'Exploitation' | |
| There will also be pilot schemes in three NHS trusts using data from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ensure migrants pay for care where required to do so. | There will also be pilot schemes in three NHS trusts using data from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate to ensure migrants pay for care where required to do so. |
| And from April reminders will be texted to people's mobile phones to ensure they do not overstay their visas. | And from April reminders will be texted to people's mobile phones to ensure they do not overstay their visas. |
| Mr Reid said most people who came to the UK wanted to comply fully with immigration laws but those who did not should not enjoy the same benefits and privileges. | Mr Reid said most people who came to the UK wanted to comply fully with immigration laws but those who did not should not enjoy the same benefits and privileges. |
| "That's why the time is now right to tackle the root cause of the problem - exploitation. We have to tackle not only the illegal trafficking but also the illegal jobs at the end of the journey. | "That's why the time is now right to tackle the root cause of the problem - exploitation. We have to tackle not only the illegal trafficking but also the illegal jobs at the end of the journey. |
| "This new approach will make life in this country ever more uncomfortable and constrained for those who come here illegally," the home secretary said. | "This new approach will make life in this country ever more uncomfortable and constrained for those who come here illegally," the home secretary said. |
| 'Positive step' | |
| The policy has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Spokesman Grahame Maxwell said it was "a really positive step forward for the Home Office, police and other agencies". | The policy has been welcomed by the Association of Chief Police Officers. Spokesman Grahame Maxwell said it was "a really positive step forward for the Home Office, police and other agencies". |
| Department for Work and Pensions minister Jim Murphy said he welcomed forging closer links with immigration services to make the strategy work. | |
| "The DWP is committed to doing all it could to ensure that people who live, work or claim benefits in Britain do so legally," he said. | |
| Meanwhile, further education minister Bill Rammell said the Department for Education was "on the case" of colleges which act as a front for foreign nationals to enter the country and stay as students. | |
| If tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world Nick Clegg, Lib Dems | |
| However, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Habib Rahman said: "Barring up to half a million irregular migrants in the UK from access to rights and services is not a realistic or humane response." | However, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants chief executive Habib Rahman said: "Barring up to half a million irregular migrants in the UK from access to rights and services is not a realistic or humane response." |
| He added: "Rendering them destitute will not encourage or enable them to return to countries riven by human rights abuses, conflict and poverty. | He added: "Rendering them destitute will not encourage or enable them to return to countries riven by human rights abuses, conflict and poverty. |
| "It will force many onto the doorsteps of already stressed charities and churches, or into the arms of criminals facilitating forced labour." | "It will force many onto the doorsteps of already stressed charities and churches, or into the arms of criminals facilitating forced labour." |
| Shadow home secretary David Davis accused John Reid of giving up on trying to deport hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants, preferring to "spam them with text messages". | |
| Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesman Nick Clegg said: "If tough rhetoric and gimmicks were enough to sort out our immigration system, we would have the best in the world." |