Here's a fresh take on the topic:
Chega Proposes Temporary Family Reunification Pause
Government Reunion Temporarily Halts: Chega Party Petitions for Temporary Family Reunification Suspension
In a surprising move, Chega is planning to present a resolution calling for a temporary halt on family reunification until Portugal's immigration situation gets a resolution, according to party leader André Ventura. He accused the government of inefficiency in handling this matter.
** contested housing warehouse**
As per Portuguese law, family reunification is a right for those who have legitimate residence authorization in the country, allowing them to petition for their family to join them.
"This isn't about humanitarianism"
When questioned about the seemingly inhumane aspect of keeping families apart, Ventura responded that this issue wasn't about humanitarianism but about preventing Portugal from becoming a magnet for immigration. He pointed fingers at the government for its incompetence in dealing with the immigration crisis.
Duration of Suspension Unspecified
When asked for the duration of the proposed suspension, Ventura simply said, "Until the situation is resolved."
Distinction between Refugees and Immigrants
When asked if the suspension applies to refugees, such as Ukrainian refugees, Ventura drew a line, distinguishing between those fleeing visible, notorious conflicts and immigrants for other reasons.
"No one should reunite before half a million are regularized"
Ventura argued that until Portugal manages to regularize half a million people, no one should be eligible for family reunification.
AIMA Warns of Increasing Foreigner Numbers
Last week, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) warned that an increase in family reunification requests from regularized immigrants would lead to an increase in the number of foreigners, to which the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitao Amaro, responded with moderation.
Potential Deportations
A government source told Lusa that family reunification would be limited based on the ability of Portuguese society to integrate immigrants. This could potentially mean around 34,000 foreigners receiving orders to leave the country.
Background:
Chega's proposal for a temporary family reunification pause aligns with their broader focus on stricter immigration policies and national integration. They have also proposed tightening the requirements for Portuguese nationality, increasing the required period of legal residence for parents before their children can acquire nationality, and instituting an integration and citizenship test for applicants. These measures are consistent with Chega’s stance that integration and self-sufficiency should be prerequisites for family-based immigration benefits like reunification.
- The temporary halt on family reunification proposed by Chega, as per their leader Andre Ventura, is not about humanitarianism, but rather a strategic move to prevent Portugal from becoming a magnet for immigration in the context of policy-and-legislation and politics.
- In a move that could potentially lead to the deportation of around 34,000 foreigners, the government is reportedly planning to limit family reunification based on the ability of Portuguese society to integrate immigrants, a decision that aligns with Chega's focus on stricter immigration policies and national integration, as seen in the recent general-news releases.
