The offence relates to advertising unlawful immigration services online
A 24-year-old man from Birmingham has become the first person to be charged under new UK laws aimed at tackling illegal immigration.
Police arrested Hem Raj on Tuesday, September 15, after an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and West Midlands Police.
The NCA said officers identified social media posts allegedly offering advice relating to fraudulent visa and asylum applications.
Raj, of Hugh Road, Smethwick, has been charged under Section 17 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.
The offence relates to advertising unlawful immigration services online and forms part of legislation introduced to tackle organised immigration crime.
According to the NCA, Raj is the first person to be charged under the new offence following an NCA investigation.
Raj has also been charged with illegally providing immigration advice, contrary to the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The investigation began after officers identified social media content which they believed was linked to unlawful immigration services.
Officers from the NCA and West Midlands Police arrested him, and they are continuing to investigate the allegations.
The case comes as UK authorities increase their focus on social media platforms used to advertise services connected to immigration.
The Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025 introduced several measures relating to border security, immigration and asylum.
Section 17 addresses material published online that promotes or advertises unlawful immigration services.
The legislation allows criminal proceedings against individuals accused of publishing material connected to illegal immigration services.
The NCA said the new offence is intended to target people who advertise or promote services connected to unlawful immigration.
Raj appeared at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on September 16.
The case remains subject to legal proceedings, and the allegations against Raj have not been proven in court.
A person charged with an offence remains innocent unless they are subsequently found guilty through the court process.
The case highlights how social media is increasingly being monitored by law enforcement agencies during investigations into organised immigration crime.
Authorities have previously warned about misleading or fraudulent immigration advice being circulated online.
The NCA has encouraged people seeking immigration advice to use appropriate authorised services.
The investigation involving Raj remains ongoing, with further proceedings expected as the case progresses through the courts.
The first charge under Section 17 could provide an early example of how the new legislation is applied to alleged online immigration offences.
