In comments to journalists in parliament regarding the Constitutional Court’s decision to reject five provisions of the new immigration law, Francisco José Martins emphasized the need to change the legal framework to end a policy of “open doors.” He assured that the PSD would “analyze, read, and make the adjustments needed to align the rules with the Constitutional Court’s requirements.”
The social-democratic deputy stressed the importance of “respecting the separation of powers” and stated that “everything that was stated will receive special attention,” while affirming that the PSD and the government “will not deviate from the goal of creating” a law that “constitutes a serious and responsible policy for the country.”
“It is essential for the country, after many years of poorly handled immigration matters, possibly disastrous, that the country can finally have a law that truly addresses the interests of the country and immigrants,” he argued.
The Constitutional Court announced today the rejection of five provisions of the parliamentary decree that establishes the legal regime for the entry, stay, exit, and removal of foreigners from national territory.
The decree, sent by the President of the Republic to the Constitutional Court for review on July 24, will now be returned to parliament to have the provisions violating the fundamental law removed.
In total, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa requested the review of seven provisions in the decree: of these seven, the Court rejected five, ruling that the remaining two are constitutional.
Among the rejected provisions are several concerning family reunification, notably the one allowing foreign citizens with valid residence permits and who reside legally in Portugal the right to family reunification only with underage family members, provided they have entered Portugal legally and reside in the country.
