The flurry of news stories following the arrival of a boatload of Moroccans in a secluded Algarve inlet last month led everyone to understand that all 38 men, women and children would be ‘returned to Morocco’, by either going voluntarily (in the space of 20 days) or being forcibly repatriated (in the space of 60 days).
The 20 days have now passed, and not one of the arrivals has shown any desire to return voluntarily to Morocco.
Now being held in ‘centres of temporary installation’ in Porto and Faro, 33 of the 25 men, six women and seven minors have claimed asylum of varying types (“political, economic and of sexual orientation, among others”, explains Correio da Manhã). This effectively ‘suspends’ the expulsion orders issued by a judge in the Algarve last month, and launches the start of the paintstaking process by AIMA (the agency for integration, migration and asylum) of investigating the veracity of these 33 claims.
Reacting to the news briefly over social media, CHEGA leader André Ventura said: “Proof that CHEGA is right: no-one is expelled; no-one controls anything. Now they are alleging political persecution and we will be paying for their lodgings. This is a disgrace!”
On Friday (August 29) that ‘disgrace’ appeared to be an exaggeration: AIMA has said it will be ready with its decision on all 33 by next week.
CM also stresses that the group is being kept under close attention. None of the migrants are allowed ‘out of their temporary accommodation’ areas, which have ample space for socialising/ leisure activities.
Source material: SIC Notícias/ ‘X’
