The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has notified 76 immigrants that their applications for regularization have been rejected. The notifications are part of a process that should cover 213 applicants, the institution's president, Pedro Portugal Gaspar, said in a parliamentary hearing.
The reason for rejection was lack of response from applicants to the initial notification to schedule a meeting. According to Gaspar, among the 446 thousand pending regularization processes, 250 thousand appointments were made and 233 thousand services were completed. The remainder includes cases of immigrants who did not appear due to change of address, departure from the country or regularization by other means.
Notified immigrants can still express interest in the process through the hearing of interested parties, before the final document analysis. Currently, 100 cases are in the investigation phase, with another 133 on the way. Only 10 residence permits have been issued so far.
During the assessments, AIMA identified critical situations, including people with international arrest warrants. The head of the agency highlighted the pressure on employees, who received more than a million emails and 600 calls in 2024.
The pressure is also reflected in the justice system, with thousands of immigrants appealing to the courts to speed up their processes. Gaspar argued that administrative issues should not be resolved in court.
AIMA strengthens its team with 450 new hires
To meet the high demand, AIMA announced the hiring of 450 new employees, 300 of whom will be temporary for up to three years and 150 with permanent contracts. The selection process is expected to begin by April.
The institution also plans to adjust the salaries of 113 mediators who work in partnership with associations, with a 10% to 12% increase by May. The measures are expected to reduce delays and improve efficiency in serving immigrants.
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