UK backs ads against illegal migrants

The UK government on Monday defended its controversial decision to launch a pilot project of displaying advertisements in high immigrant areas, telling illegal immigrants to go home.

The “go home or face arrest” mobile billboard advertising campaign has been launched in Hounslow, Barking and Dagenham, Ealing, Barnet, Brent and Redbridge boroughs of London. “In the UK illegally? Go home or face arrest. Text HOME to 78070 for free advice, and help with travel documents. We can help you to return home voluntarily without fear of arrest or detention,” the advertisements say.

Britain’s business secretary Vince Cable had on Sunday criticised the project, describing it as stupid. “I think it’s stupid — I mean the whole idea that illegal immigrants have got a sophisticated grasp of English read at a dis-

I mean it is designed, apparently, to sort of create a sense of fear in the British population that we have a vast problem of illegal immigration. We have a problem, but it’s not a vast one...

— VINCE CABLE, British business secretary

tance — and I think it is offensive,” Mr Cable told BBC One’s Andrew Marr Show. “I mean it is designed, apparently, to sort of create a sense of fear in the British population that we have a vast problem of illegal immigration. We have a problem, but it’s not a vast one, and it’s got to be dealt with in a measured way dealing with the underlying causes. And that’s why I said we’ve got to crack down on employers who are abusing both low pay and immigration,” he said.

The campaign surprisingly has been criticised by the right- wing UK Independence Party, which has a strong policy against immigration. The Tory coalition partner, Liberal Democrat party has also objected to the advertisements for being deeply divisive and intimidating as it fears the scheme will add to isolation of immigrants.

The home office, according to Mr Cameron’s spokesperson, was insisting that the scheme was working.