TWO Brazilian men were arrested after immigration officers raided two North Oxford restaurants today.

UK Border Agency officers targeted Mamma Mia Pizzeria and Portabello Restaurant in South Parade, Summertown, at about 1pm in an operation to target illegal workers.

At Portabello, a 44-year-old was arrested for entering the UK illegally, and at Mamma Mia, a 40-year-old was arrested for being in the UK with an expired visa.

Both men are now in immigration detention and awaiting deportation.

Each business faces fines of up to £10,000 unless they can prove they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on staff.

Jon Ellse, who owns both restaurants, said: “We are absolutely shocked that this has happened.

“The UK Border Agency complimented us on our impeccable staff records and they also told us there was no way we could recognise these documents as forgeries.

“The staff members I have all have passports, valid National Insurance numbers and UK bank accounts, so it’s really quite alarming that we find ourselves in this position.

“We’ve looked at our records closely and we feel there was absolutely nothing more we could have done to check these people out.”

For information about avoiding employing illegal workers, see the website ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/ employers or call the UK Border Agency’s helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.