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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National

Immigration officers must treat people with respect

National Crime Agency and Met Police officers raid a cafe in London, June 2025.
National Crime Agency and Met Police officers raid a cafe in London, June 2025. Photograph: Richard Gardner/Shutterstock

I am writing in response to your article about immigration enforcement visits to restaurants (‘They singled out non-white, foreign-born workers’: the restaurants raided by Britain’s version of ICE, 24 March). While public debate often becomes quickly polarised on this issue, I believe most people would agree on two simple principles: the law should be upheld, and people should be treated with dignity.

It is reasonable for any government to enforce immigration and employment law, and businesses should operate within those laws. However, enforcement methods matter greatly. When enforcement appears intimidating, targeted or publicly disruptive, it risks creating fear not only among those breaking the law, but also among lawful workers, customers and communities.

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