The head of the Central Unit for Return and Readmission at UNEF, Paulo Ornelas Flor, stated that the expulsion process “adheres to best practices” and facilitates deportation procedures, which require escort during flights in some cases and, in others, directing individuals to the aircraft.
Even after the end of the Foreigners and Borders Service in 2023, 18 enforced removal processes were carried out between October 30 and the year’s end, as noted by the official during a meeting organized by the Inspectorate General of Internal Administration on “Forced Returns and Monitoring.”
This number increased to 173 processes executed in 2024 and 238 until October this year, totaling 429 cases since the PSP took charge of this domain.
Among the 411 individuals expelled in 2024 and 2025, 236 were Brazilian, followed by 14 Cape Verdeans, among other nationalities.
Paulo Flor emphasized that the PSP aims for most returns to be voluntary, even after a departure order is issued, avoiding formal procedures by the authorities. This goal was achieved in 2024, with 556 voluntary returns and only 238 forced processes.
The government has initiated a public consultation today on amendments to the legislation regulating the return of illegal foreigners, centralizing the process within PSP.
According to Paulo Flor, the efforts of Portuguese authorities have been acknowledged by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
An evaluation report by the Inspectorate General of Internal Administration concluded that escort personnel consistently treated foreign individuals with “complete civility, using necessary and adequate means to safely execute the removal decision, ensuring the operation was conducted with full respect for fundamental rights and human dignity.”
In parallel, training was provided to 100 agents within the framework of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), which is a priority initiative to enhance the capabilities of UNEF staff, as highlighted by Paulo Ornelas Flor, who noted the distinction between completed and executed processes, since many foreigners might evade or choose voluntary departures.
