PSP monitored 7.8 million passengers in six months and detained 133 people at airports

According to police, the PSP monitored about 7.8 million passengers, detained 133 people and denied entry to 929 foreigners at airports in the first six months during which it took over the powers of the SEF.

Summing up the first six months of air border control, the Public Security Police reports that since October 29, it has screened 7,797.05 passengers, intercepted 12,398 people, denied entry to 929, detained 133 and received 341 requests for international protection (commonly called requests on granting asylum) to foreign citizens.

In an interview with Lusa, PSP Deputy National Director for Security and Border Control Pedro Teixeira said that since the police took over the powers of air border control, the number of passengers intercepted when entering the national territory has increased. , an increase that is due to an increase in the number of passengers at airports.

“The procedural rules that existed before October 29, 2023 are exactly the same as those that occur today, the number of interceptions has increased greatly due to the significant increase in the number of passengers at airports,” he explained, noting that in six years, months of 46 foreign citizens were expelled from the country.

Most of the 133 arrests involved forged or third-party documents, according to PSP.

These security forces indicate that the most common type of crime at the airport is simple theft, namely theft of opportunity, which has decreased in the first months of the year.

Also, in the first months of the year, PSP recorded a decrease in the number of incidents involving unruly passengers on board compared to the same period in 2023.

Following the closure of the Foreigners and Borders Service on 29 October, the PSP assumed control of air borders, while the GNR was responsible for maritime and land borders, transferring administrative powers in immigration matters to the Agency for Migration, Integration and Asylum (AIMA). .

Pedro Teixeira gave Lusa a positive assessment of his first six months.

“In October, I heard publicly about border insecurity. I heard about trespassing. Six months later, we have the indicators, and we can all see that, in fact, the borders continue to work and continue to work. work with safety,” he emphasized.

In total, the PSP controls the air borders at nine border posts: Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Madeira, Terceira, Santa Maria, Sao Miguel, Porto Santo and Beja.

Although they are not considered air border posts, the PSP also performs border control functions at Tires Airfield and Horta Airport.

With regard to the management of Temporary Accommodation Centers (CIT) and similar premises, PSP is responsible for the CIT (Santo António Residential Complex in Porto) and three similar premises in Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

In November and December, news emerged of a large number of foreign nationals seeking asylum and awaiting a response from AIMA in the international area of ​​the airport without the “most suitable conditions” and space-equivalent facilities for the Temporary Installation Center (EECIT).

“There was a huge migration pressure, there were a large number of requests for international protection, and AIMA is required by law to listen to these people within seven days,” he said, explaining that initially the response time from AIMA “took a little time”, which “ meant that people had to remain in the international space.”

Pedro Teixeira stated that “today’s scenario is completely different”, the situation is outdated and AIMA’s response is less.

The official also admitted that there is migration pressure in Europe, and Portugal has not escaped this phenomenon of migration pressure.

In this sense, and to cope with this pressure, PSP began to manage the Temporary Installation Center (EECIT) at Lisbon Airport in a different way, taking advantage of the capabilities of similar facilities at Faro and Porto airports.

“Since we see a large number of citizens at Lisbon Airport and the capacity of EECIT Lisbon is saturated, we are facilitating the transfer of citizens to other similar facilities. This is what allows us to ease the pressure on the main international airport,” he said.

Pedro Teixeira also said that 95% of asylum applications are submitted at Lisbon airport.