PSP rejects the idea of ​​"hunting illegal immigrants"

The PSP admitted an increase in inspection operations, but denied that the National Foreigners and Borders Unit was created to pursue illegal immigrants, highlighting the humanitarian aspect of its work.

"I don't have that view [UNEF created to 'hunt illegal immigrants']. I was sad, let's say, to see some Brazilian press characterize the creation of the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders in the PSP, making comparisons to ICE in the United States [the US Immigration and Customs Service], said the deputy national director of the PSP and head of UNEF, João Ribeiro, in an interview with the Lusa news agency.

João Ribeiro argued that the PSP's approach "is not that": "We live in a State governed by the rule of law, we have a framework in the training of all our police officers that is based on respect and the primacy of human rights, and that is the approach we have."

The official also emphasized that immigrants need not fear the National Foreigners and Borders Unit, as Portugal wants "regulated, yet humane migration."

However, he stated that there may be some tension when a foreigner tries to enter Portugal and is stopped at the airport because he does not meet the conditions to enter the country.

"This tension necessarily exists here. Therefore, it's not a matter of humane behavior. In fact, the spaces that exist in national airports and also at the housing unit level [in Porto] are the most heavily audited area of ​​the PSP, whether by national entities, internal mechanisms, or international organizations. Therefore, it is the most heavily audited area of ​​the PSP at the moment," he said.

The official stressed that the focus on this matter "is always transparent and professional," trying to "break the myth" about what was said in some press that immigrants were advised to be afraid of the National Foreigners and Borders Unit.

Rejecting the idea of ​​“hunting illegal immigrants,” João Ribeiro stated that the PSP’s approach is based on “risk factors.”

"We know the risk factors, we can identify where the people are. This ends up being a systemic approach. I can't go and find a thousand people in an irregular situation if I don't have the emergency housing capacity for them. What we do is adopt an approach based on the risk matrices we have and follow," he emphasized.

The deputy national director of the PSP insisted that "it is not a reason to be afraid", but noted: "Of course, if I am in an irregular situation and have entered national territory illegally and am eventually committing acts that constitute crimes, yes, that person has to be afraid."

The UNEF official also acknowledged that the PSP has increased inspection operations in certain areas frequented by immigrants, particularly in Lisbon.

"Yes, there are targeted operations. We conduct mobile border control operations; they are highly targeted operations. That is, we have a clear understanding of the risks, potential risks, or threats that exist in that area, and we take this approach to increase inspections," he said.

The "main objective" is to ensure that Portugal is a safe country and recognized as an opportunity destination for immigrants, but at the same time it is necessary to "effectively and efficiently combat everything that represents high-risk situations."

João Ribeiro considered that “it is unacceptable that there are migration routes exploiting Portugal as a place where people in an irregular situation can enter”.

"Portugal poses a risk to all of Europe in terms of irregular migration, so this is something we prioritize, but at the same time we have this systemic and structured approach," he said.

In this sense, he highlighted the creation of UNEF to contribute “to internal security, so that Portugal is a safe country, but also so that there is regulated migration”.

"Especially because, clearly, looking at the surveys of the Portuguese population, without a shadow of a doubt, the aging of Europe can only be combated either through natural growth or by allowing regulated migration that can contribute to the success of each country," he added.