The Portuguese government has launched a nationwide campaign targeting irregular immigrants, with 4,500 individuals receiving notices to leave the country this week. Authorities plan to expel up to 18,000 undocumented foreign nationals who have not secured legal residency status.
Who Is Affected?
According to government sources, the migrants impacted by this measure primarily come from:
- India
- Pakistan
- Bangladesh
- Nepal
These individuals will receive administrative notices granting them 20 days to voluntarily leave the country or file an appeal. Failure to comply may result in legal proceedings and possible detention in Repatriation Centers for Irregular Migrants (CITs) as quoted by the newspaper Público.
Limited Infrastructure for Repatriation
Portugal currently operates only one active repatriation center located near Porto. Two additional centers are under construction with funding from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, but they will not be operational until 2026.
Political Backlash and Timing Concerns
The announcement has sparked widespread political criticism, particularly from left-wing parties and migrant advocacy organizations.
President’s Remarks
President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa acknowledged the campaign but downplayed its overall impact, emphasizing the importance of migrants to the national economy. “The Portuguese economy would collapse without them,” he noted.
Opposition Accusations
Opposition leaders argue that the measure is politically motivated. Pedro Nuno Santos, leader of the Socialist Party, accused Prime Minister Luis Montenegro of exploiting immigration to shift attention away from the government’s poor performance.
“This is nothing more than a demagogic maneuver ahead of the elections on May 18,” said Santos.
A System Struggling to Keep Up
Advocacy groups blame the surge in irregular status on administrative delays. The transition from the Service for Foreigners and Borders (SEF) to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in 2023 disrupted the immigration process significantly.
This transition coincided with a dramatic rise in immigration, which has strained public systems.
Portugal’s Growing Immigrant Population
| Year | Foreigners as % of Population |
| 2017 | 4% |
| 2024 | 15% |
This fourfold increase in seven years illustrates the scale of the immigration boom.
A Sharp Rise in Expulsion Orders
Portugal saw its highest number of expulsions in 2019, with approximately 4,800 orders issued. This week’s 4,500 notices nearly match that peak, highlighting the scale and urgency of the current campaign.