“I don’t share that view. I was somewhat saddened to see some Brazilian press comparing the creation of the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders within the PSP to the ICE in the United States,” said João Ribeiro, the deputy national director of the PSP and head of the UNEF, in an interview.
João Ribeiro stated that the PSP’s approach “is not like that”: “We are in a state of law, and the training of all our officers is based on respect and the primacy of human rights, which is the approach we take.”
He also emphasized that immigrants should not fear the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders, as Portugal seeks “a regulated but simultaneously humanitarian migration.”
However, he mentioned that tension may arise when a foreigner tries to enter Portugal and gets stopped at the airport due to not meeting entry requirements.
“There is necessarily some tension here. It’s not a question of humanitarian behavior; in fact, the spaces available at national airports and the housing unit [in Porto] are the most monitored areas by the PSP, subject to scrutiny by national entities, internal mechanisms, and even international organizations,” he remarked.
Ribeiro stressed the approach in this area is “always transparent and professional,” aiming “to dispel the myth” propagated by some media that immigrants should fear the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders.
Rejecting the notion of an “immigrant hunt,” João Ribeiro stated that the PSP’s approach is conducted according to “risk factors.”
“We know where the risk factors are and can identify where people are. It’s a systemic approach. I can’t go after a thousand people in an irregular situation without having emergency accommodation capacity for them. We approach it following risk matrices we have and adhere to,” he emphasized.
The deputy national director of the PSP insisted there is “no reason to fear,” but noted: “Of course, if I am in an irregular situation, having entered the national territory illegally and engaging in criminal acts, that person should be afraid.”
The UNEF head also acknowledged an increase in enforcement operations in areas frequented by immigrants, especially in Lisbon.
“Yes, there are targeted operations. We conduct mobile border control operations that are highly targeted, clearly understanding the risks or potential threats present and approaching it to increase oversight,” he said.
The “main goal” is to ensure that Portugal is a safe country recognized as an opportunity for immigrants, while effectively combating high-risk situations.
João Ribeiro argued that “it is not acceptable for migratory routes to exploit Portugal as a place for people to enter irregularly.”
“Portugal poses a risk for all of Europe in terms of national irregular migration, so this is a priority objective, but at the same time, we have this systemic and structured approach,” he said.
In this context, he highlighted the creation of the UNEF to contribute “to internal security, ensuring Portugal is a safe country, while also promoting regulated migration.”
“Undoubtedly, based on surveys of the Portuguese population, Europe’s aging can only be combated either through natural growth or by allowing regulated migration to contribute to the success of each country,” he added.
