A MAN was deported and another remains in immigration detention after raids on two Newport restaurants.

Officers from the UK Border Agency raided Benny’s Chicken, on Chepstow Road and the New World Cantonese Restaurant, on Cardiff Road, on Friday evening.

A 52-year-old Bangladeshi man, working behind the counter at Benny’s Chicken, was found to have overstayed his visa.

He was arrested, taken to Newport Central police station and then removed from the UK on Sunday.

At the New World, officers found a 27-year-old failed asylum seeker from China working in the kitchen, who had not left the country when his application was rejected.

The man was also arrested and taken to Newport Central and is currently in custody awaiting deportation.

Both businesses were issued with notices of potential liability for employing illegal workers.

If the employers failed to provide evidence that checks were carried out before the men were given jobs, they face a £10,000 fine.

Jane Farleigh, UK Border Agency regional director for Wales and the South West, said: “These successful operations show that my officers are cracking down on immigration offenders in Newport and elsewhere. Where we receive intelligence that illegal working is taking place, we act on it as a priority.”

She added tough action was being taken against employers who knowingly take on illegal workers, who are often exploited and poorly paid.

Anyone who suspects a business is employing illegal workers can contact the border agency on 02920 924727.