Want “expression of interest” mechanism restored to aid immigrant access to Portugal
Immigrant associations are refusing to take the government’s new rules on immigration without a fight.
They are focused on seeing the expression of interest mechanism reinstated – the process whereby any arrival on a tourist visa can start the process of legalisation simply by saying he/ she is looking for work.
To this end, president of Solidariedade Imigrante Timóteo Macedo is holding a rally today, backed by over 50 other organisations, to demand a rethink.
The government scrapped the expression of interest when it modified the foreigners law in June. At the time, Solidariedade Imigrante – the country’s largest immigrant association – was one of the first to register its outrage.
Nothing, this far, has come of the various complaints – hence today’s initiative to set the stage for future demonstrations.
“We’re apprehensive about the final outcome of all this. (…) If we’re not all available to pressurise, to fight with all our strength, with the means we have at our disposal, to win this right that has been taken away from us (political power) won’t give in”, Macedo told Lusa.
But as SIC Notícias points out, the expression of interest mechanism “is the main reason for delays in the system” which currently has more than 400,000 cases of immigrant legalisation pending.
Since June, the various associations have done what they can to highlight the issue, including having an audience with President Marcelo.
Today, “we are essentially going to give an account of what we have done”, Macedo told Lusa. “We really want to organise the street action that we are going to prepare for October, if everything goes well until then”, he added, lamenting what he called “the lack of commitment from the main parties to change the law”.
“We are very apprehensive about the hearings we have had – particularly with the PS parliamentary group”, which hasn’t committed to restoring expressions of interest, he said.
“Everyone already knows the rhetoric about what immigrants represent for this country and for the future of Europe”, he said, arguing that “concrete measures” are needed to resolve the problems.
PSD social democrats (leading the AD government) have this far not received the movement, which has asked for hearings with everyone. Macedo thus believes it is time to “show the strength of immigrants” with street protests. They are “the only weapon we have at our disposal at the moment”, he said.
Today’s meeting takes place this afternoon, say reports, without explaining where or at what time.
