The new measures for returning and expelling irregular migrants are included in a border control bill that the government approved on Thursday and will now be submitted to parliament.
Portugal is set to implement a new system for the return and expulsion of migrants residing in the country without authorization. This initiative also includes the creation of the National Foreigners and Borders Unit within the police force, as announced by the government on Thursday.
At a press conference following the cabinet meeting, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro highlighted the shortcomings of the previous government’s approach to immigration, particularly the dissolution of SEF (the Foreigners and Immigration Service). He noted that this decision created a gap in the enforcement of immigration laws, including the deportation of irregular migrants, inspection duties, and border control.
To address these issues, the government is establishing the National Aliens and Borders Unit within the PSP (Public Security Police). This new unit will oversee air border control, enforce immigration laws, and manage the deportation and repatriation of irregular migrant responsibilities that, according to Leitão Amaro, are currently inadequate.
These new measures are part of a broader border control bill approved by the government on Thursday and will soon be presented to parliament. The announcement of this new police unit follows the publication of the Migration Action Plan in June, which outlined the government's strategy for managing immigration.
After the SEF was abolished on October 29 last year, the police created the Airport Security and Border Control Unit to manage the movement of people entering and leaving Portugal by air, as well as to ensure airport security. The new National Foreigners and Borders Unit will expand on these functions to strengthen Portugal’s overall immigration control and enforcement.
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