Green council threatens to not cooperate with Home Office because immigration enforcement 'divides communities'

A Green-led council in London has threatened to not cooperate with the Home Office over fears its immigration enforcement raids divide "communities".

A new review by former Greens boss Jonathan Bartley - now Lambeth Council's "cabinet member for safer, thriving neighbourhoods" - will examine the borough's information-sharing arrangements with the department.

In a video shared on the council's website, Mr Bartley claimed Lambeth residents "fear the knock on the door" from immigration enforcement.

The announcement has been made to coincide with Refugee Week, which began on June 15.

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Mr Bartley said: "Lambeth is home to people from every corner of the world.

"Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we want all residents to feel safe, valued and able to engage with public services without fear."

After May's local elections, the Green Party formed a minority administration, winning 27 seats - the most of any party in the council.

The council has no representation from the Conservatives or Reform UK, with an opposition consisting entirely of Labour and Liberal Democrats.

"Immigration raids are causing fear and dividing Lambeth’s communities," Mr Bartley added.

"As Refugee Week begins, it is right that we take a careful and transparent look at how information is shared in relation to immigration enforcement activity."

Standing in front of graffiti which read "all migrants welcome", Mr Bartley said "so many people in Lambeth" believed in the message.

"And I'm proud to represent a borough that believes in diversity, equity and inclusion.

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"They fear the knock on the door from immigration enforcement, they fear they can't turn to the council for help when they might be in exploitative circumstances because perhaps the council is actually cooperating with council enforcement."

In January, the Home Office said immigration enforcement raids had reached their highest level in British history, increasing by 77 per cent since Labour came into power.

Some 17,400 of these raids were made to murky businesses like nail bars, car washes, barbers and takeaway shops.

Many are known to employ illegal migrants and are thought to be linked to human trafficking gangs.

Last week, three arrests were made in immigration raids on souvenir shops and a £40,000 civil penalty issued to one of the shops for employing an illegal worker.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said impeding the work immigration enforcement does was dangerous and warned the Green Party stood for open borders.

He told the Mail: "This is yet another extreme, dangerous immigration policy from the Green Party.

"Immigration officers do a vital job tracking down anyone who has come here illegally.

"Stopping them from doing their duty sends a signal to human traffickers everywhere that Britain is a soft touch.

"The only thing the Greens stand for is open borders at all costs."

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