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28 July 2009

A new UK Border Agency office in Belfast is offering a wide range of local immigration services to the people of Northern Ireland.

The office, at Drumkeen in the south of the city, was officially opened on Monday 20 July by Paul Goggins MP, Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office. It will provide local immigration services including:

• immigration law enforcement, such as tackling illegal working;
• enrolment of foreign nationals onto the identity card scheme;
• asylum claim-handling and decision-making;
• the sharing of intelligence to help tackle criminality linked to the immigration system;
• a reporting centre, for foreign nationals on bail in the community; and
• a public enquiry office.

The creation of the Belfast office forms part of the UK Border Agency's drive to create up to 70 local immigration teams across the United Kingdom by December 2011, and to make those teams visible in the communities they serve.

The office brings together 60 staff to work in the same complex, including representatives from organisations like the Gangmasters Licensing Authority. There will continue to be close liaison between the Agency and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI).

Phil Taylor, regional director of the UK Border Agency in Scotland and Northern Ireland, said:

'I am delighted that we are officially opening the new office in Belfast today, which is designed to meet the needs of migrants living and working legally in Northern Ireland, and to address the problem of those who seek to break our immigration laws and to cause harm to our society.

'Our investment in this office will create 25 new jobs, to ensure that the service we provide to the people of Northern Ireland is the best it can be.

'A key part of our work is the partnerships that we have formed with other organisations, and I'm particularly pleased that we will continue to work closely with colleagues from the PSNI. Our local immigration teams have the kind of on-the-ground knowledge that helps the UK Border Agency to tackle the issues that concern the community.'

Rt Hon Paul Goggins MP also welcomed the opening of the new office, saying:

'This office will help ensure that those who come to live and work legally in Northern Ireland receive the advice and support they need, whilst also dealing appropriately with those who are in Northern Ireland illegally.

'The partnership between the UK Border Agency, the PSNI, the Gangmaster Licensing Authority and others will bring real benefits to everyone involved.'