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Emma Watson faces immigration probe over 'illegal' housekeeper

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Immigration officials are investigating claims that an American housekeeper employed by Emma Watson worked illegally at the actress' London home. The Home Office are reportedly investigating whether the maid worked at Emma's £2 million home in the British capital while on a tourist visa. Tourist visas bar foreign citizens from working in the UK.

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The housekeeper, who started working for Emma in New York last year, was stopped by immigration staff, who asked how she intended to fund her stay in Britain, according to the Mail. Border officials started the investigation after receiving a complaint that the maid was paid to help the actress at her Islington home, and subsequently made trips to London. 

She is alleged to have spent a total of three months in the UK, between September last year and February 2014. It was during one of these trips that she was quizzed by UK Border Agency staff.

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The Home Office can impose penalties of up to £10,000 per worker on employers who breach immigration rules.

Harry Potter star Emma had been living in the US while studying for her English Literature degree at Brown University in Rhode Island. 

Having recently graduated, she is now thought to be based back in London and is expected to attend Prime Minister David Cameron's 'Cool Britannia' party at Downing Street on Monday evening.