Illegal workers and any Bermudians who harbour them will feel "the full effects of the law", Government has warned.

Those who work without a permit will be deported, while employers and residents who assist them will "find themselves before the courts," Senator David Burch said yesterday.

The Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, also warned: "Consideration will be given to suspending all visas for those nationals who are the most prolific offenders."

He said 'wanted posters' will go up around the Island and on the Department of Immigration website to identify illegal immigrants.

"The Ministry has the responsibility to protect Bermudian jobs – a responsibility we take very seriously," he said.

"The Department of Immigration has noticed an increasing trend with foreign nationals overstaying their 'vacation' and oftentimes engaging in illegal employment. A trend that we wish to arrest, before it escalates further, by drawing to the public's attention that it is a criminal offence for both those overstaying and those aiding and abetting them."

Sen. Burch told the Senate: "Persons wishing to reside and seek employment must first secure the permission of the Minister responsible for Immigration to do so. Breaking the laws of this land is not the answer and will be met with the full effects of the law."

Employers who take on illegal workers will also find any future Work Permit applications facing "closer scrutiny".

The Minister said a Bermudian woman has recently been charged with "harbouring an overstay", while the illegal worker is at Westgate Correctional Facility awaiting deportation.

He said: "I want to put both Bermudians and illegal immigrants on notice that there is zero tolerance for this type of behaviour and persons found engaging in such will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"I should add that most visitors who overstay and engage in working illegally are usually deported and placed on the Bermuda Stop List and not allowed to enter Bermuda again. I cannot stress too strongly that these are very serious offences, which we shall not ignore."

The Department of Immigration's Compliance Team is to launch a crackdown this month, while the Island's new Border Management System will assist the process by raising alerts when people overstay.

Opposition Senate Leader Michael Dunkley said: "We in the UBP support at all times any effort to curb and get on top of this situation, where some people are trying to fly under the radar."

However, he called for more communication from the Department of Immigration towards people giving information on illegal workers. "I think it's important for the Department to confirm that the complaint is being looked at and dealt with, as I've heard reports that some people don't get anything back," said Sen. Dunkley.

"If that is the case then people will be somewhat hesitant about getting involved. If people believe they are not being listened to and that it does not matter, then in the future they are not likely to do something about it."

Anyone with information on illegal immigrants is asked to telephone the Immigration Hotline on 296 5202.