Home Office: Banks Must Check Immigration Status of Account Holders

Banks and building societies have started immigration checks on holders of millions of current accounts under a government crackdown. The scheme was introduced by ministers as part of attempts to create a “hostile environment” for those staying in the UK unlawfully. It requires banks and building societies to check the immigration status of all current account holders against details of known illegal migrants held by authorities. Where an illegal migrant is found to be operating an account, this will be flagged to the Home Office. After checks, officials will instruct the bank or building society on what action to take, which could include shutting the account. Immigration minister Caroline Nokes said the measures would “make it more difficult for people with no right to live or work in the UK to remain here.”

Guardian, http://bit.ly/2D65XqQ