Immigration officers must treat people with respect | Letters

2026-03-27 - 17:50

A country is judged not only by its laws, but by how it enforces them, writes Aurelia Maynard; plus letters from Mike Rogers and Paul Maguire 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. Continue reading...