Two Vietnamese nationals were arrested at Birmingham Airport after presenting fraudulent identification documents during immigration checks. Tran Hung and Trang Chu, both 30, were sentenced to 13 months each at Birmingham Crown Court on July 31 after pleading guilty to knowingly entering the UK without leave and possessing an identity document with intent.
Arrest at Birmingham Airport
The couple arrived at Birmingham Airport on a flight from Belfast, Northern Ireland, at 7.15am on March 14 this year, having initially travelled from Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. Prosecutor Raj Punia told the court that both defendants produced identification documents to immigration officers conducting checks.
According to Punia, the documents were asylum cards known as application registration cards (ARC cards). This type of identification required further checks, which revealed that the cards related to two different Vietnamese nationals, both of whom were offenders. There were 'obvious differences' between Hung and Chu and the photographs on the cards, the prosecutor added.
Failed asylum claims and background
Punia said: "The defendants are failed asylum seekers. They are Vietnamese nationals. Neither have been issued a visa to enter the UK. Both arrived by small boat in 2024 and claimed asylum, which was later withdrawn on the 17th of December by the Home Office."
The court heard that the couple made a 'horrific journey' from Vietnam to the UK via China, Russia, and France. Graeme Logan, defending Chu, said they were 'made to work to pay their way' and came "in search of a better life." They left their two children in Vietnam, who are living with a grandparent in a small village. Logan added: "Their hope one day was that they would be able to bring their children over to this country. That certainly won't be happening in the near future."
Defence and sentencing
Graham Blower, defending Hung, said: "Yes there was some planning but it was particularly inept in coming in with the dodgiest of dodgy cards." He noted that the consequences of deportation to Vietnam could be significant because debts were run up and remain. Logan stated that if released, the couple had an address in Portsmouth to go to.
Recorder Clodaghmuire Callinan, passing sentence, concluded there was an unrealistic prospect of rehabilitation outside prison because their immigration status had not been regularised. She said: "There is a legitimate public concern about breaches of border control. I do find this was a preplanned and fairly sophisticated endeavour to come to the UK." She added: "Both of you are isolated in custody. It is clear to me you will find it difficult being separated from each other and in an environment where English is not your first language."
