Strengthening Immigrant Regulations in Portugal
Loosening the Reins, Not Slamming the Door:
Portugal's rulers are gearin' up to tighten the immigration rules, but they ain't slammin' the door on family reunification for immigrants just yet. This was the gist of the statement made by Luís Montenegro, respondin' to André Ventura, the leader of Chega, in the initial round of discussions about the Government's program, held within the Assembly of the Republic.
Montenegro argued that well-assimilated immigrant families and student immigrants boost the economy and contribute to the country's development. However, he emphasized that unlawful immigrants lurkin' within the country, due to a lack of regulations and the inability to enforce existing ones, is what's truly detrimental.
To address this, the Government intends to introduce amendments to the nationality law and the law on foreigners, with the aim of streamlining repatriation procedures and establishing a foreign and border unit in the Public Security Police—somethingChega had previously tried blockin'. Montenego added, "[We're] givin' Chega another shot at redemption", given they came in second place.
Family Ties, Unknotted:
In his clarification request, the president of Chega directly questioned whether the Government would halt or restrict family reunification.
Montenegro stated that control over migration is indeed lacking, but the Government's hands are tied in what they can do at the moment, other than tighten control and reverse the trend. Ventura, however, pushed back, askin' what measures will be taken to prevent family reunification. He even raised comparisons to Austria, which has suspended family reunification. Montenegro simply responded with a shrug, suggestin' that the Government might take steps to appease the Socialist Party, but without details on definite plans.
Montenegro clarified that the Government, for now, is not planning to halt or restrict family reunification for immigrants, despite the tightening of immigration policies. In response to Ventura's concerns about family reunification, Montenegro cryptically suggested that the Government may take steps to address Chega's demands, but no definitive plans have been disclosed.
