Prime Minister denies hastening the removal of foreign nationals from the country.
Portugal to Implement Voluntary Departure for 4,574 Foreign Residents
Portuguese Minister Luís Montenegro has clarified that the Government's decision to notify 4,574 foreign citizens to leave the country voluntarily within 20 days is not an election-related move but rather a continuation of a process initiated last June.
Montenegro emphasized that the process has not been accelerated for the elections but continues under the required pace due to the May 18 early legislative elections. He also pointed out the establishment of a mission structure and service centers, which increased AIMA's service capacity by sevenfold.
"We have a workforce of more than 450 employees spread across the country, with more than 500 lawyers involved in this operation. The current operation we're conducting is significant, with over 400 thousand cases being recovered and processed," Montenegro highlighted.
Regarding criticism from opposition parties that the election campaign is being 'Trumpized,' Montenegro acknowledged the opposition's focus on badmouthing the government but expressed his belief that voters prefer someone in opposition who recognizes the need for collaboration with the government.
The AIMA-led initiative forms part of Portugal's broader immigration compliance and legal status strategy. The government plans to impact around 18,000 people in total, addressing those who have violated migration laws, lacked residence permits, been denied entry to the Schengen area, or failed to submit adequate documentation.
Migrant rights groups have expressed concerns over the potential creation of fear within foreign communities and the possibility of increased vulnerability and exploitation. However, AIMA and government officials have stressed that case-by-case assessments will be conducted before any enforcement actions.
According to the Enrichment Data, the government's decision reflects an effort to enforce immigration laws, regulate immigration flows, and alleviate pressures on public services due to a substantial increase in Portugal's immigrant population over the years. The policy is also subject to political considerations as it was announced ahead of the May 18, 2025, elections.
The government's decision to ask 4,574 foreign residents to leave voluntarily is part of Portugal's broader immigration compliance and legal status strategy, which aims to impact around 18,000 people in total. This policy, announced ahead of the May 18, 2025, elections, also follows from the process initiated last June, as highlighted by Portuguese Minister Luís Montenegro.
