Minister António Leitão Amaro, heard in Parliament about the State Budget for 2026, confirmed the creation of a new regime for the return of immigrants. “Next month we will put the proposal up for discussion, so that, ideally, in December, a new regime for the return of immigrants can reach Parliament”stated the minister. The hearing takes place this Wednesday, October 29th.
The statement was made in response to deputy Vanessa Barata, from Chega, who questioned the change in the law, referring to the “infinite judicial resources” used, but which are provided for in the legislation. According to Leitão Amaro, this new regime that is being prepared “guarantees, on the one hand, respect for fundamental rights and, on the other, greater security and effectiveness in the application of rights”he added.
According to the portfolio holder, since the Government came into office it has been “increasing the discussion” on this topic, but admits that it is necessary to review the general regime. He also recalled that a bill to this effect had already been presented at the end of last year, but was rejected by Chega and the Socialist Party (PS).
António Leitão Amaro also classified it as “obsession” and “fixation” of Chega’s position regarding asylum seekers. “Chega exaggerates and errs in its focus on applicants for international protection. We have one and a half million immigrants and 65 thousand people with international protection, of which 61 thousand are covered by the Ukrainian regime”, he explained.
In the second round of questions, deputy Ricardo Reis, also from Chega, insisted on the so-called remigration — the mass deportation of immigrants. According to the deputy, Portugal needs “not only to repatriate illegals, but also those who are here and do not comply, those who do not deserve to be in this country”he stated.
From the parliamentarian’s perspective, close to extremist groups that defend anti-immigration policies such as Reconquista, remigration would serve to “protect taxpayers, protect our security and protect the lives of Portuguese people”, having also classified immigrants as “parasites”.
António Leitão Amaro immediately rejected the idea, stating that the deputy’s question could only be used “for videos on social media” and “for national and international congresses” that discuss remigrationas is the case of the Reconquista. The minister also refuted the idea that immigrants are “parasites” or “criminals” in the country. “Your link between crime and immigration is false,” he concluded.
In an intervention by the Socialist Party (PS), deputy Pedro Delgado Alves criticized the minister for “attacking Chega’s radical ideas”, but, at the same time, having André Ventura’s party as a partner in the approval of laws related to immigration, as occurred in the Foreigners Law (already in force) and the Nationality Law (recently approved in Parliament). Delgado Alves reiterated that the PS is willing to “constructive” ideas.
amanda.lima@dn.pt