Immigration offences and carriers' liability

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Immigration offences

Immigration offences are matters that are dealt with under criminal law. They are distinct from civil penalties which, in the context of immigration, are monetary penalties levied by the Home Office when enforcing laws or regulations.

A broad array of immigration-related criminal sanctions exist and are contained in a large number of Acts and Regulations, some of which are directed at the area of immigration control and others that are of more broad applicability.

The Practice Note: Immigration offences provides information on the following immigration offences:

  1. •

    illegal entry and arrival

  2. •

    using deception to obtain leave to enter or remain in the UK

  3. •

    facilitating unlawful immigration

  4. •

    assisting an asylum seeker to enter the UK

  5. •

    trafficking

  6. •

    failing to produce an immigration document

  7. •

    overstaying or breaching immigration conditions

  8. •

    false documentation, forgery and procurement of documents

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