Minister of Internal Affairs defends unity of foreigners and borders in the PSP

The Minister of Internal Affairs, in her first public intervention since taking office, defended this Tuesday the creation of a national unit for foreigners and borders in the PSP. Maria Lúcia Amaral maintained that “there is no security without border control”.

Regarding the proposal to create a foreigners and borders unit within the PSP, approved this Monday in the Council of Ministers and which will now be taken to Parliament, the minister says it is “a political demonstration that the State does not abdicate its essential duty to protect and respect all those who are in our territory”.

Maria Lúcia Amaral, who spoke at the seminar “Migrations and Return: New Directions for Europe”, held by the PSP at the Escola Superior de Comunicação Social, added that “there is no freedom possible without security to guarantee it and there is no security without border control”.

In this context, the Minister of Internal Affairs explained that it is urgent to create a rapid and effective regime for the removal of foreign citizens in an illegal situation, in order to “combat illegal immigration, human trafficking and prevent and protect victims”.

The minister also argued that Portugal must remain a welcoming country, prepared to receive anyone who wants to come to Portuguese territory, admitting that new challenges are currently on the table in the area of ​​migration.

“In recent years, as is well known, Portugal has suffered one of the biggest demographic shocks ever, with a foreign population that has quadrupled since 2017”, said Maria Lúcia Amaral, adding that “the phenomenon is undeniable, and raises and poses several challenges, particularly in terms of internal security”.