WHILE the government’s proposal to seize the earnings of illegal immigrants is a step in the right direction, it will only have an impact if those employing illegal immigrants are also targeted.

For some years now in the United States it has been incumbent upon employers to check that those they hire are legally entitled to work – and they face severe financial penalties if they are found to have employed illegal immigrants.

A first offence carries a penalty of between $200-$2,000 per employee, for a second offence this rises to $2,000-$£3,000 per person and for a third offence $3,000-$10,000 per person plus the possibility of jail for persistent offenders.

We need to introduce and, more importantly apply a similar system here.

ROBERT READMAN

Norwich Avenue West, Bournemouth