Portugal's Immigration Update: 113,000 Cases Processed Amid Rising Challenges

Immigration Regularization Update

The Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, has reported significant progress in the immigration regularization process, revealing that the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) is now handling 5,000 immigrant cases per day. This marks a substantial increase from only 800 cases daily six months ago, with 113,000 cases currently in progress and 108,000 cases rejected.

Background on Immigration Cases

In June, there were 400,000 pending applications for immigrant regularization. The minister explained that this backlog is a result of previous government policies that lacked effective immigration strategies. The recent surge in processing capacity has allowed the government to address more than half of the pending cases.

Importance for Immigrants and Citizens

This initiative is crucial for many immigrants who previously lived without proper documentation, which severely limited their access to housing and the job market. By resolving these cases, the government aims to enhance both the security and well-being of the Portuguese populace.

Rejection and Future Projections

While the current statistics are promising, there remains a significant number of cases that still need to be addressed. The government acknowledges that the number of pending cases may not reach the original 400,000 due to individuals having left Portugal during the lengthy wait times.

Integration and Economic Contributions

Minister Amaro emphasized that immigrants contribute significantly to the Portuguese economy, contributing €2.6 billion to social security while receiving only €400 million in benefits. This highlights the positive economic impact of immigration on the country.

Future Plans and Policy Changes

Looking ahead, the government is working on creating a new migration regime that emphasizes ethical recruitment and responsibility from employers. This initiative aims to facilitate quicker processing of immigration applications while ensuring proper conditions for immigrants.

Conclusion

The Portuguese government is taking significant steps to address immigration issues, balancing security concerns with the need for economic growth through effective immigration policies.