About 20 illegal immigrants every week were deported from the West Midlands in the last nine months of 2007, the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) has revealed.

Among them were ten illegal workers from China, Malaysia and Indonesia arrested in December at a Shrewsbury restaurant. The immigrants were arrested at the Dragon King Chinese Buffet on Old Potts Way, after a tip-off.

As well as failed Chinese asylum seekers, the illegal workers included a Malaysian and an Indonesian who were found to be visa overstayers.

Since the BIA was created in April last year, 444 enforcement operations have been carried out in the West Midlands, resulting in over 100 criminal prosecutions and 760 illegal immigrants being removed to their home countries.

Gail Adams, regional director for the Border and Immigration Agency, said: “We are determined to stamp out illegal immigration.

“That’s why there are very strict rules about who can live and work in the UK and it’s becoming much harder to break them.

“We are removing significant numbers of immigration offenders, including foreign criminals, asylum cheats, those who have tried to stay in the country after their visa has run out and illegal workers, but we are not complacent.

“We intend to make 2008 even more difficult for illegal immigrants in the West Midlands than last year.”

Earlier this month Immigration Minister Liam Byrne announced crucial milestones for border protection being introduced over the next 12 months.

These include the introduction of a new Australian-style points based system for managing migration, ensuring only those with the skills the UK needs are allowed to work; on the spot fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee for employers who don’t make the correct right-to-work checks; and compulsory ID cards for foreign nationals.

By Rhea Parsons