Portugal promotes immigration model based on integration and human rights

Portugal has defended what it describes as a “regulated and humanist” approach to immigration, arguing that effective border control and respect for human rights must go hand in hand.

Speaking at the V Ibero-American Forum on Migration and Development last week in Huelva, Spain, Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro said migration brings clear benefits to host countries, migrants and countries of origin, but warned that illegal and uncontrolled immigration also presents challenges that governments cannot ignore.

The two-day forum (June 4 and 5) brought together representatives from 22 Ibero-American countries, as well as international organisations, businesses and civil society groups, to discuss migration, integration and international cooperation.

Presenting Portugal’s immigration policy as a model based on regulation, integration and respect for human rights, Leitão Amaro stressed that governments must promote legal migration routes while tackling irregular migration.

“Migration is good for societies,” he told delegates, while adding that countries must be equally firm in rejecting “illegal, irregular or uncontrolled immigration”.

The minister rejected what he described as a “false dilemma” between border control and human rights.

“There is no dignified and legitimate control that does not respect human rights. And there is no lasting defence of human rights without social cohesion,” he said.

Leitão Amaro also called for closer cooperation between Ibero-American countries through bilateral agreements and circular migration schemes designed to address labour shortages while supporting migrant integration.

Addressing a panel on disinformation and hate speech, he urged governments to challenge false narratives surrounding immigration and promote fact-based public debate.

“Immigrants are not criminals. Immigrants are not parasites of social protection systems,” he said, arguing that public policies should combat both xenophobia and misinformation.

At the same time, the minister said public concerns about rapid changes in migration flows should not be dismissed or automatically labelled as extremist.

“Change generates fear. It is part of human nature,” he said, adding that governments must demonstrate their ability to manage migration effectively while maintaining social cohesion.

The forum included representatives from countries across Europe and Latin America, including Portugal, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela.

Source: portugal.gov.pt

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