The Portuguese government has created a new agency for minorities, migrations, and asylum, called the Portuguese Agency for Minorities, Migrations and Asylum (APMMA). This new agency will replace the current immigration and border control service, the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service (SEF). The transition is expected to be completed within the next six months. It aims to provide a more humanistic, solidarity-oriented, and efficient approach to immigration policies in Portugal, will they be successful? Only time will tell. Here’s what you need to know about APMMA, the new SEF.
Issues with SEF: The Need for Change
The decision to replace SEF with APMMA was significantly influenced by various issues that plagued the immigration agency.
One of the most notable incidents was the tragic death of Ukrainian national Ihor Homeniuk in 2020, who was beaten to death in SEF’s custody at Lisbon airport. This event led to the conviction of three officers in May 2021 and ultimately contributed to the demise of SEF.
Additionally, the agency had been criticized for inefficiency, with migrants often waiting years to get an appointment. I mean, heck, I’ve waited for hours on the phone just to give up and try again and get the same results. We’ve all been there.
Furthermore, concerns were raised by migrant advocacy groups regarding the use of other police forces with past accusations of racist abuse to supervise borders.
The establishment of APMMA seeks to address these problems and provide a more efficient, humane, and non-discriminatory approach to immigration and border control in Portugal.
Restructuring of SEF: New Responsibilities and Collaboration
As part of the APMMA’s establishment, the renewal of residence permits will now fall under the responsibility of the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN). As a result, some SEF employees will transition to this institute, while others will join the new agency. Additionally, SEF inspectors will collaborate with the PSP (Public Security Police) and GNR (National Republican Guard) at air and sea border posts for the first two years as part of the entity’s restructuring.
The Transition Process: Ensuring a Smooth Handover
To ensure a smooth transition, a “functional allocation mechanism” will be created, allowing SEF inspectors to remain temporarily at air and sea border posts, which will eventually become the responsibility of the PSP and GNR. For the first year, SEF employees will support the PSP and GNR, transmitting knowledge to these security forces. This period may be extended, but only 50% of the workforce will remain in the second year. At the end of the transition, all SEF inspectors will integrate into the Judicial Police as a whole.
Addressing Concerns: Safeguarding Rights, Careers, and Salaries
The government has taken measures to ensure that SEF employees’ rights, careers, and salaries are protected during the transition. This includes negotiations with union organizations representing SEF inspectors to ensure a smooth transition and professional status equivalence. The government also aims to respect the location of the performance of functions for professionals who have served in SEF.
Improving Border Regulation and Security: The Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit
The restructuring of SEF also includes the creation of a Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit within the Internal Security System. This new unit aims to enhance the sharing of information from different security services and improve border regulation. By coordinating the efforts of security forces and services, the team will help ensure regulated and safe borders in Portugal.
Promoting Equality and Combating Racism: The Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination
The government has also approved a proposal for a law to create the Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination. This commission will work to promote and ensure equality while combating racism and discrimination based on race or ethnic origin in Portugal.
A Positive Change for Portugal's Immigration Policies
Will APMMA be better than the SEF? I don’t know, but I do know the current system was ripe for improvement. The creation of the APMMA and the restructuring of SEF represent a significant change in Portugal’s approach to immigration and border control and says a lot about where the country is going.
By shifting towards a more humanistic and solidarity-oriented approach, the government aims to improve the experiences of those traveling to and from the country. Furthermore, the new Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit and the Commission for Equality and Against Racial Discrimination demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving border regulation and promoting equality and inclusivity in Portugal.
What are your thoughts? Have SEF horror stories? Let me know in the comments below.
FAQs - APMMA to Replace SEF in Portugal
APMMA aims to provide a more humanistic, solidarity-oriented, and efficient approach to immigration policies and border control in Portugal.
The government has negotiated with union organizations representing SEF inspectors to ensure a smooth transition and professional status equivalence, as well as respecting the location of the performance of functions for professionals who have served in SEF.
The SEF faced various issues, including the tragic death of Ukrainian national Ihor Homeniuk, inefficiency in processing applications, and concerns raised by migrant advocacy groups regarding the use of other police forces with past accusations of racist abuse to supervise borders.
By adopting a more humanistic and solidarity-oriented approach, the APMMA aims to provide better services and support for travelers, improving their overall experience during the immigration and border control processes.
Some SEF employees will transition to the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN), while others will join the new agency, APMMA. SEF inspectors will also collaborate with the PSP and GNR at air and sea border posts during the transition.
The unit aims to enhance the sharing of information from different security services, improve border regulation, and coordinate the efforts of security forces and services to ensure regulated and safe borders in Portugal.
For the first year, SEF employees will support the PSP and GNR in transmitting knowledge to these security forces. In the second year, only 50% of the workforce will remain, with all SEF inspectors integrating into the Judicial Police at the end of the transition.
The transition is expected to be completed within the next six months.
This commission will work to promote and ensure equality while combating racism and discrimination based on race or ethnic origin in Portugal.
No, the renewal of residence permits will now fall under the responsibility of the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN).