The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum is training association staff in biometric data collection, aiming to resolve the majority of the 400,000 pending cases by June 2025.
The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has forged partnerships with several immigrant-focused institutions to tackle over 400,000 pending cases, some of which have been unresolved for over two years. The goal is to meet the government's deadline of June 2025. AIMA is providing training to employees of these organizations, enabling them to assist with tasks such as biometric data collection to streamline the case resolution process.
Confidential Partnership with Key Immigrant Institutions
AIMA has partnered with four major entities that work closely with immigrants on a daily basis. However, due to a confidentiality agreement with AIMA, these institutions are unable to provide further details about their collaboration. This partnership is a key part of the government’s task force, which was created as part of a package of 41 measures announced last June to address the growing backlog of cases.
Hiring Sociocultural Mediators to Support AIMA's Efforts
To meet the growing demand, AIMA has prompted immigrant associations to initiate public calls for hiring sociocultural mediators. AIMA's leadership believes that these partnerships are essential for helping the agency meet its deadlines and return to a state of normalcy. Since AIMA replaced the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) in October of last year, it has struggled to provide efficient services, leaving many waiting for long periods.
AIMA’s Internal Challenges and Staff Strike
Initially, the government hoped that extending working hours and adding weekend shifts would allow AIMA employees to clear the backlog. However, this plan fell short, and overburdened staff initiated a strike against overtime work, which is expected to continue until December 31. The government has scheduled a meeting with employee representatives later this month to discuss these ongoing issues.
Immigrants Face Long Waits for AIMA Services
Those seeking AIMA's services continue to face significant challenges, including long wait times and an inability to schedule appointments online. Brazilians, who make up nearly half of the pending cases, have been particularly affected. One immigrant, Uelber Oliveira from Bahia, has been in Portugal for three years and expressed frustration with the process, saying, "It makes no sense for AIMA to treat people who pay taxes in such a degrading way."
Government Task Force to Accelerate AIMA's Progress
The government, through the Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro, has confirmed that the task force created to address AIMA's backlog will begin operations this month. The government is working with municipalities, NGOs, and other entities to establish service centers and back-office teams to speed up the processing of pending cases.
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