Lewisham Council is poised to take a bold stance against government immigration enforcement policies by voting next week on a motion that could ban its officials from collaborating with the Home Office on raids. This move follows revelations that council officials uncovered evidence suggesting the government intended to use environmental health data to target restaurant workers.
The proposed ban is part of a broader strategy by Green-led councils in London to create 'corridors of sanctuary' – areas where individuals, regardless of their immigration status, can feel safe from deportation. The initiative has gained momentum under Green leadership, with Zack Polanski expressing pride in these efforts: 'We're creating places where no one has to live in fear of being snatched away from the home they know and love.'
The impetus for the proposed ban stems from an email reportedly sent by the Home Office's immigration enforcement team in 2023, requesting assistance with joint operational visits. Lewisham had previously declared itself a 'sanctuary borough' in May 2021 under a Labour administration, signalling a welcome to migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. The Green party now seeks to review all council spending and data-collection systems to prevent cooperation with Home Office raids, including examining contracts with organisations that may have facilitated operations.
The Home Office maintains it has a 'collaborative relationship' with Lewisham Council, stating it joins forces with local authorities for information sharing and fighting immigration crime. This stance comes as the Labour government has increased immigration raids to record levels since taking office two years ago – 77% more business raids and an 83% rise in arrests since the 2024 election.
Despite the government's emphasis on enforcement, evidence suggests that workplace raids can only ever affect a small proportion of businesses. Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory, notes that raids remain expensive, resource-intensive, and reliant on tip-offs of varying quality. He acknowledges, however, that workplace enforcement can deter employers from hiring individuals without the right to work.