The SDP and CDS defended the government’s new migration plan in parliament this Monday, while the left-wing opposition warned of the risk of increased illegal immigration.
The PSD, CDS, PCP, PAN and Livre reacted this afternoon in the Assembly of the Republic to the new Migration Action Plan approved today by the Council of Ministers.
The PSD, through MP António Rodríguez, praised the “notes of humanism” in the government’s proposal, emphasizing “the concern for ending the exploitation of workers” and “an attempt to dismantle the trafficking networks that exist within the country.”
For the Socialist Democratic MP, ending the expression of interest procedure, which he said has “opened the door to immigration without any control, without any regulation”, is a “necessary response” as well as “CPLP visa regulation”.
The plan includes “streamlining and prioritizing immigrant entry channels” to reunite families, young students, skilled professionals and citizens of CPLP countries.
The Social Democrat rejected the risk of an increase in illegal immigration, since “there is an increase in supervision by security forces and services” with “the creation of a unit that will regulate this same type of activity.”
Paulo Nuncio, the parliamentary leader of the SDS, began by holding the former PS government responsible for the current situation and praising the decision of the executive branch, of which the centrists are part, to end “the open door regime” in order to resume “supervision of illegal immigration in the national territories” and increased the “capacity of temporary accommodation centers.”
António Filipe, a PCP deputy, criticized the government for not moving quickly enough to resolve “the problem of 400 thousand outstanding residence permits in AIMA.”
“The government acknowledges this problem, but points to a very vague solution to create a mission unit, but without setting any specific timetable, any specific target regarding the human and physical resources that need to be provided to solve this problem as quickly as possible. “, he decreed.
The communist MP also said the government “risks creating a problem” of increased illegal immigration of people who “will later have no legal opportunity to regularize their situation.”
Representative Jorge Pinto of Livre said the plan “does not bring any solution” and accused the government of wanting to “return voters to the far right for the worst reasons and with the worst proposals.”
“This is a plan that the government itself has difficulty believing in, and, of course, the Minister of Economy does not believe in this program, because it will create additional difficulties for the arrival of new workers when these workers are needed by the country,” he said.
The PAN, led by leader Ines Sousa Real, said that “stopping the expression of interests is a green path for companies and a red card for people” and criticized what it called the “paradox” of Prime Minister Luis Montenegro when he wanted to “guarantee a humanistic integration policy,” without asking how we “can provide greater protection to migrants in situations of social vulnerability.”
Ines Sousa Real also emphasized the government’s support for her party’s proposal to “increase investment in learning the Portuguese language.”
The government ended the exceptional regime that allowed a foreigner to enter Portugal before applying for a residence permit, and announced the creation of a mission structure to streamline pending processes, estimated at 400,000 people.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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