Thursday, 25 Jan 2007 08:50
Byrne: Borders bill is a radical shake-up
Biometic identity cards will be mandatory for foreign residents
Friday, 26, Jan 2007 12:00
Liam Byrne has said the new borders bill is part of "the most radical shake-up of the immigration service in its history".
The immigration minister told BBC News 24 today's bill would give the immigration service "greater power to actually secure our borders and play their part in the fight against terrorism".
The bill will make biometric identity cards mandatory for non-EEA foreign residents "to make it easier for employers to check who's who and whether they've got the right to work", said Mr Byrne.
He added that penalties for businesses which employ illegal workers will be increased.
More places in detention centres will be created later this year and there will be a greater focus on tracking down people traffickers and gangsters.
He revealed: "One of the great surprises for me when I got this job, was to learn that three-quarters of illegal entry into Britain was in the hands of organised crime."