Portugal: Goverrnment ‘prepared’ for US deportations of nationals – minister

Login

Register

http://www.clubofmozambique.com/

Portugal: Goverrnment ‘prepared’ for US deportations of nationals – minister

10:27 CAT | 22 Jan 2025

FILE - For illustration purposes only. [File photo: Lusa]

Portugal’s government “is prepared” for the deportation of Portuguese nationals in an irregular situation in the US, following the inauguration of Donald Trump as president, and is working in conjunction with the government of the Azores region, but does not expect “a notable impact” from the measure, the minister of foreign affairs said on Monday.

“We don’t expect it to have a significant impact, but we’re here, we’re always prepared,” said Rangel, during a hearing of parliament’s European affairs committee, after he was questioned by the main opposition Socialist Party (PS) and the smaller Left Bloc (BE) about possible US deportation plans, already announced by the new president, Donald Trump, whose inauguration was on Monday.

Rangel said that the right-of-centre coalition government would deal with the situation “always in close liaison with the regional government of the Azores” – from where most Portuguese emigrants in the US hail from.

“Every year there are deportations of Portuguese citizens and all of them are handled with great care and attention by the Portuguese government,” Rangel emphasised. “We are prepared for deportations.”

Socialist committee member and former secretary of state for Portuguese communities abroad José Luís Carneiro said that the measure announced by Trump could affect around 3,600 Portuguese, with Portugal – along with China and Spain – being one of the three countries with the most ‘overstayers’ or immigrants who travel to the US on a 90-day visa and then stay longer.

Before entering the formal hearing, Rangel told journalists that “the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the secretary of state for the communities, is always ready to resolve any situations that may arise and within the mechanisms of international law.

“There is no situation that indicates alarm or special concern,” he went on, while stressing that the government is keeping “a close eye, a greater vigilance, which will be carried out with the utmost care and diplomacy.”

He added: “I don’t anticipate any crisis.”

Speaking the day after the inauguration of Republican Donald Trump as the 47th US president, Rangel emphasised that “the relationship with the United States is fundamental for Portugal.

“We want to have, as we always have, the best relations with the United States and with the new administration of President Trump,” he said, noting that this “not the first time he has been president and we already have experience of dealing with his administration.”

Source: Lusa