The timeline for the final approval of the government’s bill was affirmed by the leaders’ conference spokesperson, Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputy Francisco Figueira, today.
On August 8, the Constitutional Court declared several of the parliament’s decree provisions, proposed by the government to amend the so-called Foreigners’ Law, unconstitutional. Most of these were related to family reunification, including the establishment of a “blind two-year period” for application.
The new amendment proposal to the Foreigners’ Law, announced today by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, among other changes to ensure its accordance with the Constitution, maintains the two-year valid residency requirement for family reunification requests but allows several exceptions, including for spouses.
This decree was passed on July 16 in the Assembly of the Republic, with favorable votes from PSD, Chega, and CDS-PP, abstention by IL, and votes against from PS, Livre, PCP, BE, PAN, and JPP.
Today, in a press conference at parliament, PSD and CDS-PP presented the new version of the bill regulating the entry of foreigners into Portugal without prior consultation with any party, arguing that the text upholds the principles of rigor and immigration control.
Discussing the new proposal to amend the legal regime for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreigners from national territory, PSD deputy vice-president António Rodrigues stated that the newly submitted text “accommodates all the Tribunal’s observations,” especially regarding family reunification and legal access, “without undermining government policy.”
When questioned by journalists whether there are assurances for favorable votes from Chega— who approved the previous bill — António Rodrigues replied that the PSD/CDS-PP proponents have not spoken “with any party so far.”
António Rodrigues emphasized that “the principles and values remain exactly the same,” and PSD/CDS-PP only addressed the Constitutional Court’s legal concerns.
“There was no point in discussing this matter with anyone. If there are criticisms on it, let them bring them forward for the discussion in committee; we will be available to discuss them,” he stated.
Similarly, CDS-PP deputy João Almeida anticipates no difficulties in the bill’s approval, asserting that while respecting the Constitutional Court’s position, they are not relinquishing the essentials “either in terms of immigration regulation or specifically regarding the family reunification issue,” which continues not to be automatic.
“What we do is maintain all the rigor that is essential in a migration policy,” he said.
On the other hand, Socialist Party parliamentary leader Eurico Brilhante Dias expressed regret that the PS was excluded by the government from the discussion on the new version of the foreigners’ law, arguing that the country “would benefit from a more profound discussion.”
“The PS was not consulted in the preparation of any amendment to the foreigners’ law, and I want that to be very clear. At this moment, the PS will review the text that has arrived in the Assembly of the Republic,” declared Eurico Brilhante Dias.
