The Portuguese government has approved a decree-law aimed at streamlining the expulsion of foreign nationals in an irregular situation. The measure, approved by the Council of Ministers, is part of a broader action plan for migration and is intended to accelerate administrative processes.
A key provision of the decree extends the maximum period an individual can be held in a detention center from 60 days to 18 months. This aligns Portugal with a 2008 European Union directive that permits member states to detain migrants for up to 18 months pending removal.
The government states the changes are necessary to ensure the execution of expulsion orders that are currently not being carried out. The decree also simplifies the process for issuing and notifying these orders. The plan must now be sent to Portugal's parliament for discussion and potential ratification.
The move comes amid a national debate on migration policy, following a significant increase in immigrant arrivals in recent years. The government has framed the action plan as a balanced approach to managing migration flows while respecting human rights.
