Portuguese Justice Enforces 17,000 Appointments for Immigrants
The Portuguese justice system has required the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) to schedule 17,000 appointments for immigrants, focusing on family reunification processes that are set to accelerate in October. This move follows significant delays in responding to immigration cases, largely driven by administrative bottlenecks.
Pedro Portugal Gaspar, AIMA’s president, acknowledged the delays and emphasized that, despite the backlog, there is an ongoing effort to increase daily appointments. AIMA is expected to handle up to 2,000 cases daily, including new processes for family reunification, which will prioritize children of immigrants.
This acceleration is part of an effort to enhance immigrant integration and resolve a significant backlog of cases after recent legislative changes. AIMA has also introduced a task force to handle the influx, with a focus on reducing administrative processing times for immigration applications. The agency’s capacity to manage these appointments is crucial as Portugal sees a consistent rise in its immigrant population, now estimated at over one million.
The recent creation of the Unidade Nacional de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras within the PSP (Public Security Police) shifts some responsibilities from AIMA, particularly concerning the deportation of undocumented immigrants. This restructuring aims to improve operational efficiency between the agencies involved in managing immigration and public safety.
Priority for Family Reunification
AIMA’s current focus is on speeding up family reunification cases, which did not transition to the new mission structure handling immigration backlogs. Parents with minor children can now apply through AIMA’s portal to bring their families into Portugal. However, this has introduced some uncertainty about how many people may require regularization as the reunification effort continues.
Administrative Challenges
Despite improvements, AIMA faces a significant challenge in managing its caseload. With over 17,000 court orders mandating the agency to schedule appointments, it must address these delays promptly to prevent further legal actions and to facilitate the integration of immigrants in the country.
Looking Forward
As immigration figures rise, the AIMA remains committed to enhancing Portugal’s capacity to manage new entrants, with special consideration for immigrants from Portuguese-speaking countries. This preferential treatment reflects Portugal’s broader cultural and linguistic ties to Lusophone countries.
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