Protestors in London are calling for a boycott of the Byron hamburger chain after company officials reportedly worked hand and hand with the government to pull off an immigration sting that led to the deportations of several workers.

Several media outlets have reported as many as 35 workers were recently taken into custody after staffers arrived for what was billed as a company training day. Once there, they were all confronted by Home Office officials and ultimately arrested for not having legal documentation.

Scores More in Hiding

Those arrested are said to be from Albania, Brazil, Nepal and Egypt and word is at least 150 other workers have now gone into hiding. At least 25 of those arrested are now reported to have either voluntarily departed or been removed from the UK, while the rest are now facing deportation proceedings.

In addition to the boycott calls, the hashtag #BoycottByron is now making the rounds on social media, including the creation of a Free Pride Facebook page that implores consumers to stay away from all the chain's eateries.

"We are disgusted that Byron has deceived potentially vulnerable workers into immigration traps," a post on the page reads. "We believe no human is illegal and continue to support all migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. We hope to see a future were all people feel welcome and are not exploited."

Company Defends Actions

Company officials are rumored not to be facing any civil penalties in connection with any of the questionable hires and have since released a statement that indicates they plan to continue working with immigration authorities.

"We can confirm that several of Byron's London restaurants were visited by representatives of the Home Office," the press release read. "These visits resulted in the removal of members of staff who are suspected by the Home Office of not having the right to work in the UK, and of possessing fraudulent personal and right to work documentation that is in breach of immigration and employment regulation."

According to the Guardian, one of the restaurant's since deported chefs claims he was taken to three different detention centers before being ushered out of the country. After being in the UK for two years, he added he wasn't allowed any time to collect any of his personal belongings.


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