Creation of the Portuguese Agency for Minorities, Migrations and Asylum approved

The Government approved the creation of the Portuguese Agency for Minorities, Migration and Asylum (APMMA). The APMMA will replace the Immigration and Border Service (SEF) after its extinction, and integrate the High Commission for Migration (ACM). The transition to the new agency is expected to be completed in the next six months.

The admission and reception of immigrants, which was part of the functions of the SEF and ACM, will be transferred to the new agency. The APMMA will deal with the integration of migrants, offering the necessary information on documents, job offers, learning the Portuguese language and public services, among others.

Security at land and sea borders will become the responsibility of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), while the Polícia de Segurança Pública (PSP) will control air borders. The investigation, which includes the fight against illegal immigration and human trafficking, will be the responsibility of the Polícia Judiciária (PJ).

The agency will also be in charge of migration and asylum policies at a European level, with the creation of a border and foreigners coordination unit. The aim is to share information from different services to ensure the regulation and security of migration in the European Union.

After the extinction of SEF, the workers will be integrated in the PJ, in the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN) and in the new Portuguese Agency for Minorities, Migrations and Asylum.

The local delegations of the SEF will also become part of the new agency.

Source: Government Portal