The interim government of Portugal has announced plans to notify approximately 18,000 foreigners living in the country without legal authorization, a move that has raised concerns and sparked debate ahead of the upcoming legislative elections. This announcement was made by António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency, on Saturday, May 3, 2025. The government will begin issuing notifications requesting that these immigrants voluntarily leave the country, with an initial batch of about 4,500 notifications expected to be sent out this week.
Recipients of the notifications will have 20 days to comply with the order. If they fail to do so, Amaro warned, they will face "coercive removal" from Portugal. This drastic measure comes at a time when Portugal is grappling with a significant backlog of residence applications, with around 110,000 requests still pending analysis. Amaro indicated that the number of notifications could increase in the coming weeks as the government seeks to address the backlog.
In his statements to the media, Amaro noted that approximately two-thirds of the 18,000 rejected residence applications are from citizens of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan. This demographic detail highlights the diverse backgrounds of those affected by the government's decision. The implications for immigrants, particularly those from the Indian subcontinent, are significant as Portugal's immigration policies undergo scrutiny.
The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, as it coincides with the lead-up to Portugal's legislative elections scheduled for May 18, 2025. This election comes on the heels of a political crisis that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who faced allegations of conflict of interest related to a family-owned law firm. Montenegro's government, which lasted less than a year, was a coalition of two parties holding only 80 of the 230 parliamentary seats. The political landscape is further complicated by the rise of opposition parties, including the socialists and the far-right Chega, who united to bring down the government.
Amaro's remarks reflect a broader sentiment within the government regarding the need to reform Portugal's deportation system, which he claims is ineffective. "Portugal is among the three European countries that carry out the fewest deportations, even in cases involving security issues," he stated during an interview with Observador, a Portuguese radio station.
As the government prepares to implement these notifications, the Brazilian Embassy in Portugal is closely monitoring the situation. The embassy is in contact with Portuguese authorities to gain clarity on how many Brazilians will be affected by this order. While Brazilians represent the largest community of immigrants in Portugal, they constitute a small fraction of those being notified, with estimates suggesting only about 2.5% (around 449 individuals) of the total.
Bruno Huberman, a professor of international relations at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo, commented on the implications of this policy, suggesting that the targeting of specific immigrant groups is a strategic move by the far-right factions within Portugal. He emphasized that low-income Brazilian immigrants are likely to be the most affected, while wealthier individuals, who often gain citizenship through family ties or property investments, are less vulnerable.
The Casa do Brasil in Lisbon, an association dedicated to immigrant advocacy, expressed concerns about the government's motives. In a statement, they suggested that the announcement might serve as a "smoke screen" to divert attention from the ongoing corruption allegations against the former prime minister. Ana Paula Costa, the president of the Casa do Brasil, noted, "It seems minimally coincidental that the current government would announce the notification of 18,000 immigrants to leave the country during an election campaign, amidst news of alleged corruption involving the prime minister's family business."
As the Portuguese government prepares to enforce these notifications, it faces criticism for its handling of immigration issues and the potential political motivations behind its actions. The situation remains fluid, with many questions about the future of immigration policy in Portugal and its impact on the diverse immigrant community. The upcoming elections will likely play a crucial role in shaping these policies and addressing the concerns raised by various stakeholders.
In summary, the Portuguese government's decision to notify thousands of illegal immigrants, including a small number of Brazilians, to leave the country comes at a politically charged moment. With elections looming and significant public scrutiny, the government's approach to immigration may be a pivotal issue in the upcoming legislative session.
