Immigrants whose visas have expired are to be reminded of the situation via text message in a new proposal initiated by Home Secretary John Reid. Even though, the UK is "throwing out" record numbers of illegal immigrants, says Reid, he proposes making life "constrained and uncomfortable" for illegal immigrants for those who disobey current terms for staying in the UK. The most prolific way of doing this will be by sending foreign nationals a text message to remind them of their situation around the time of visa expiry. The Lib Dems have reacted negatively, with Home Affairs spokesman Nick Clegg commenting, "The more John Reid yells 'foreigners', the greater the suspicion will grow that he is simply trying to divert attention away from his Governments own incompetence." This coming amid news that the Home Office does not have exact figures for immigrants in the UK.
Other ideas in Reid's blueprint include targeting those harbouring illegal immigrants, such as landlords and bosses and issuing them with fines of up to £20,000 for misconduct. As well as this, compulsory ID cards will be issued to foreign nationals, which will be used to have increased control on immigrants paying for the NHS. Analysts argue that this plan may s0 imply increase the poverty problem in the UK, as more immigrants fall into ill health.