The PSD and CDS-PP presented to parliament a new version of the law that regulates the entry of foreigners into Portugal without prior consultation "with any party," arguing that the text maintains the principles of rigor and control over immigration.
The new proposal to change the legal regime governing the entry, stay, departure and removal of foreigners from national territory comes after the first diploma was 'rejected' by the Constitutional Court (TC) and was presented today by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro.
In parliament, the vice-president of the parliamentary group, António Rodrigues, argued that the text now submitted -- which he hopes to see discussed in plenary next week -- "accommodates all of the Court's observations," particularly on matters relating to family reunification and access to rights, "without calling into question the Government's policy."
When asked if he had any guarantees that this version would receive favorable votes from Chega, which approved the previous legislation, António Rodrigues responded that the PSD/CDS-PP proponents had not spoken "with any party so far."
The deputy insisted that "the principles and values remain exactly the same", and the PSD/CDS-PP simply accommodated the TC's legal doubts.
"It wouldn't make sense to talk to anyone about this matter. If there are any criticisms regarding it, which bring them to the attention of the specialist, we will be available to discuss them," he said.
Along the same lines, CDS-PP MP João Almeida also does not anticipate any difficulties in approving the legislation, saying that, respecting the position of the Constitutional Court, the essential is not being relinquished, "whether in relation to the regulation of immigration or specifically in relation to the issue of family reunification", which continues to be non-automatic.
"What we do is maintain all the rigor that is essential in a migration policy," he said.
Social Democrat MP António Rodrigues stressed that "without compromising the values and principles of the Government's proposed law", deadlines are being shortened and procedures for family reunification are being simplified, particularly in situations involving minor children.
"In the case of access to law, we found another mechanism, without compromising the defense of rights, freedoms, and guarantees: ensuring that the courts can be used to address situations involving the defense of citizens' rights, while at the same time avoiding the use of the mechanism of systematically questioning administrative decisions in court," he explained.
António Rodrigues said he hopes the leaders' conference will schedule consideration of this new version by the end of the month, before parliament adjourns for the local election campaign, and stressed that the text guarantees that "the purity of immigration control is safeguarded," accommodating "all the criticisms made by the Constitutional Court from a legal standpoint."
"We interpret what was ruled by the Constitutional Court, we have an alternative solution, but it maintains what is essential to us: that family reunification is not automatic and that the fact that a person is a legal immigrant in Portugal gives them the right to immediately bring their entire family. The country cannot deal with this situation," reinforced João Almeida.
The CDS-PP deputy stressed that both parties were sensitive to "the issue of the essential nucleus of the family, husband, wife and dependent children", but ensuring that marriage and filiation are carried out in accordance with Portuguese law.
"There can be no polygamous marriages, no underage marriages, no marriages against will, and people must prove that they were already married and living together before coming to Portugal," he stressed.
The new proposed amendment to the Foreigners Law maintains the two-year period of valid residence to request family reunification, but allows for several exceptions, including for spouses, the Minister of the Presidency announced today.