The minister reiterates that the restructuring of the SEF “strengthens the security environment.”

This Friday, the Minister of the Interior confirmed that the restructuring of the Foreigners and Border Guards Service (SEF) will improve the country’s security by increasing the staff in charge of border control and migration.

Speaking to Lusa after meeting with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in Lisbon, José Luis Carneiro explained that integrating the powers of the SEF into the PSP, GNR and PJ, in addition to creating the Migration Agency and Asylum, achieves the goals of the United Nations and the European Union in these areas.

“With the help of this reform, which is being developed in the country, it is possible to strengthen the levels of security, since, on the one hand, the PSP, which today has about 20,000 elements, is responsible for the security of the air border. ; GNR, which has more than 20,000 elements and covers the entire country, will take care of the maritime border and land border, while PJ will take care of crime related to human trafficking and supporting the illegal immigration network,” he said.

José Luis Carneiro continued his reasoning by pointing out the smaller size of the SEF compared to these institutions: “This means that we had a system that was based almost exclusively on the size of the force, which numbered about 1,500 people, with about 600 employees. administrative and from 900 to 1000 inspectors who had control, security and inspection functions.

According to the Minister of the Interior, changes in the system of internal security and integrated border management also allow “strengthening the reception and integration capacity” of migrants arriving in the country, ensuring greater respect for the human rights of these people.

“By maintaining these skills and this ‘experience’ of SEF technicians, staff and inspectors integrated into the security forces, who have a greater ability to respond to these strategic goals of the country, we will easily conclude that we are strengthening the security conditions of the country and taking care of strengthening the security functions and integrated border management for regulated flows,” he said.

The official also assured that Portugal is “at the forefront of the European Union’s adaptation process” to face the demographic challenges posed by migration and that the ongoing reforms are “under close scrutiny by European countries”, while not forgetting the European Commission’s commitment to Solidarity. .

“The European Commissioner has the guarantee of Portugal that we will accompany the European Commission in achieving this dual goal: to guarantee solidarity to those who aspire to Europe (…), trying to welcome them with respect for human and fundamental social rights, and at the same time it’s time to strengthen integrated border management,” he concluded.

The government plans to complete the restructuring of the SEF next year by transferring police powers to the PSP, GNR and PJ and creating a new immigrant administration authority.