Increased conflict in the world will lead to more displacement, but Portugal will know how to adapt

The Deputy Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ana Catarina Mendes, acknowledged this Friday in Faro that the increase in conflicts in the world will lead to an increase in the number of displaced people and that Portugal “will continue to know how to welcome people.”

“Unfortunately, we are witnessing new conflicts in the world that will lead to the displacement of more people and which Portugal continues and will know how to welcome, guaranteeing what has always been guaranteed: border security and a good welcome. We want to strengthen this humanistic and hospitable side,” a government official told reporters.

Ana Catarina Mendes spoke in Faro as part of a visit to a new store concept that will be implemented by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) throughout the country.

The Minister recalled in this context that Portugal has always responded to requests to receive displaced migrant citizens within the framework of the European Solidarity Mechanism.

“Our obligations to Europe have always been fulfilled. We have, in fact, responded to the requests of the European solidarity mechanism, including those who are internally displaced in refugee camps and have accepted them over time,” he said.

Asked about the 347,000 immigration legalization problems inherited by AIMA after the closure of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) on Sunday, Ana Catarina Mendes stressed that they are not citizens in an illegal situation.

“We are not talking about illegal immigrants in the country, we are talking about people who have permission to stay in the country, or because they no longer need a visa like CPLP citizens. [Comunidade dos Países de Língua Portuguesa] after the conclusion of the Mobility Agreement, or other citizens entitled to reside in the country. They are not illegal, they are irregular, they need to draw up documents, complete processes that have already begun,” he clarified.

To address these 347,000 outstanding issues, the minister recalled, AIMA will launch a “mega-operation” with a technology component and a face-to-face component in the first quarter of 2024, in a structured partnership with city councils and regional authorities. Coordination and Development Committees.

The AIMA counter in Loja do Cidadan de Faro grouped together the former counters of the SEF and the Local Support Center for the Integration of Migrants of the High Commission for Migration, which was also closed and whose functions were transferred to the new agency.

“This is not just a change of two platforms combined into one, it is even a change in the perspective of a better response” to the relationship between foreign citizens and the Portuguese public administration, the minister said, stressing that “the process of integration and the reception of immigrants in Portugal must have a more decisive and structured response “

AIMA, which inherited the administrative issues of issuing documents to foreigners from SEF, began operations on October 29 with 34 service counters throughout the country and will open at least 10 new counters throughout the year, especially in stores for citizens.

The agency expects to have a portal open to process family reunification requests from older residents by the end of 2023, and it won’t be until 2024 that it will have a new portal open to requests for issuance and renewal of residence permits.

Also in 2024, a new telephone call center will be created.

“I would say that within a year or a year and a half we will have everything working, with a modernized technology park,” noted Ana Catarina Mendes, emphasizing that digitalization “is a big bet” of the government in this matter. matter.

A new program to teach Portuguese to immigrants will also be launched next quarter.

“It is precisely because language is an undeniable barrier that we must improve access to language learning so that everyone can communicate and so that we can all understand each other better,” the minister said.