A CHARITY exposed immigration raids today as an extension of colonial “divide-and-rule” tactics, employed to create state-sanctioned fear. 

Migrant Rights Network’s report into immigration raids follows government-announced plans to ramp up the number of removals and carry out 14,000 deportations by the end of the year.

Mapping the location and frequency of raids, the charity found they often occurred at businesses in city centres, areas with significant racialised populations and areas with significant migration routes. 

Compiled in collaboration with academics Monish Bhatia and Jon Burnett, the report found that most raids occurred in Belfast and Stranraer near the harbours, as well as Birkenhead near the docks.

Areas of London and Birmingham with high racialised populations were also targeted.

It found there had been a decrease in Govanhill in Glasgow, and East London, which may be linked to active anti-raid networks and community mobilisations. 

Most raids were found to be highly ambiguous and largely reliant on low-grade intelligence, such as “tip-offs.”

This includes fabricated reports from rival businesses, which could explain low deportation rates following raids — although this had increased from less than 10 per cent to up to 20 per cent last spring.

The report highlights that the primary function of raids, if not to deport, is to instil fear and operate as a form of racist intimidation dividing communities. 

Although Asian nationals and people of Asian heritage make up only 9.3 per cent of the population, they accounted for 50 per cent of people targeted in raids between January 2022 and September 2023.

Migrants’ Rights Network CEO Fizza Qureshi said “Raids are an extension of colonial ‘divide-and-rule’ tactics that pit neighbours, colleagues and the wider community against each other, while inflicting fear. 

“It’s time to send a clear message to the state that we will be holding them to account for the intimidation of racialised communities. 

Report co-authors Mr Bhatia and Mr Burnett said: “Raids are a mechanism to create state-sanctioned fear. 

“They are utilised as part of attempts to disrupt and intimidate communities. 

“They turn neighbour against neighbour, and legitimise the idea that they need to exist. 

“This report makes it loud and clear that raids are part state violence and part political theatre.”