BBC probe uncovers Indian illegal immigration network

Prasun Sonwalkar
London, July 17 (PTI) A network of people which
allegedly provides illegal immigrants of Indian-origin, mostly
Punjabis, forged or stolen identity papers and help them
secure a job in Britain has been exposed in an undercover BBC
investigation.
The network, which operates in west London suburb of
Southall which has a large population of Punjab-origin,
allegedly exploits hundreds of illegal immigrants from India
through cheap housing, faked documents and poorly paid, often
dangerous jobs.
The BBC report showed the facilitators speaking in
Punjabi, collecting money for illegal services provided and
handing over the key identity documents such as passports and
the National Insurance card.
During the investigation, widespread unlawful job
practises, squalid housing, and a thriving trade in fake
documents were uncovered. More than 40 houses packed with
illegal immigrants were identified in one square mile of
Southall, the report said.
"The young, mostly male Punjabis are not here lawfully
and, although most know the risks, they have few legal rights.
They are surrounded by forgers, criminals and ruthless
employers," it said.
A team of BBC's undercover reporters met and filmed a
man who called himself 'Vicki', who was open about the fake
documents he could obtain, and boasted about servicing
customers in Sheffield, Bradford and Coventry.
Vicki told reporters that he could get people into the
country on lorries, known as donkeys, organised by what he
called his "man in Paris", and how he could provide a fake
"original" passport that had been "checked" to beat security
at a U.K. airport.
The Indian illegal immigrants, known within the
network as 'faujis', find work in Southall but often at rates
below the national minimum wage.
The report mentioned the case of a 'fauji' being
employed for 12-hour days, six days a week at 150 pounds, or
about two pounds an hour.
Last week, the London mayor, Boris Johnson, announced
a raise in the living wage for London to seven pounds and 45
pence per hour, which is 35 percent higher than the national
minimum wage.
"This hidden community is an open secret - landlords
take on tenants, employers want cheap and uncomplaining
labour, while the criminals trade in people's lives.
"Once the undercover reporters infiltrated this closed
community, it was clear how easy it is to remain invisible.
One clear fact remains: the scale.
"In just one square mile, hundreds of illegal
immigrants, scores of multiple-occupancy houses, and people
dealing in fake identities, employment and fraud. A criminal
network that is out of sight," The BBC reported.
A similar investigation into international human
smuggling involving Punjab-origin illegal immigrants in U.K.
and Europe was highlighted in a stark documentary titled 'Door
Kinare' (Shores Far Away) by noted Indian film-maker
Savyasaachi Jain.