The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal is at a pivotal moment. Since its formation in 2021, following the closure of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) and the High Commission for Migration (ACM), AIMA has been working to define its identity and role in managing Portugal’s migration policy. Despite the challenges, the agency remains focused on its founding principles and mission, especially in integrating immigrants into Portuguese society.
In this article, we will explore AIMA’s journey, the challenges it faces, and the steps it is taking to build a distinct identity in the landscape of Portuguese immigration management.
Overview of AIMA’s Role in Migration and Integration
AIMA’s primary mission is to handle Portugal’s migration policies in a more integrated manner. This includes overseeing the arrival, regularization, verification, and documentation of immigrants, as well as their long-term integration into society. While these roles were previously handled by SEF and ACM, AIMA has taken on the responsibility of managing both inspection and integration functions.
| Function | Role |
|---|---|
| Immigrant Regularization | Manages the documentation and regularization of immigrants entering Portugal. |
| International Protection (Asylum) | Handles asylum applications and protection for refugees and individuals seeking asylum. |
| Integration of Immigrants | Develops and implements policies to help integrate immigrants into Portuguese society. |
| Cooperation with Police Authorities | Works with police authorities to manage cases of expulsion and illegal immigration. |
| Administrative Offense Management | Responsible for administrative offenses related to immigration and oversees certain legal processes. |
As AIMA continues to find its place, its scope of work is extensive, ranging from processing residency applications to assisting with international protection cases. Despite the removal of some functions to other entities like the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders (PSP), the core of AIMA’s responsibilities remains intact, ensuring that immigrants are properly documented, protected, and integrated.
The Transition from SEF and ACM to AIMA: A Complex Process
Formation of AIMA: A New Beginning
AIMA was officially created on October 29, 2021, to replace SEF and ACM, consolidating their functions into a single agency. This move aimed to streamline the management of immigration processes and improve the integration of immigrants into Portugal. However, the transition was not without its challenges. The merger of two distinct institutions—one focused on policing and the other on integration—created tensions and a need to redefine the agency’s direction.
Pedro Portugal Gaspar, the President of AIMA, acknowledged the complexity of the transition, particularly in merging two different organizational cultures. SEF had been primarily focused on inspection and policing, while ACM concentrated on the social and cultural integration of immigrants. The blending of these two entities required careful planning and coordination, especially as AIMA sought to establish itself as a unified organization.
Internal Challenges in Identity Building
According to Gaspar, one of AIMA’s biggest internal priorities is to build its identity gradually. This includes fostering a symbiotic relationship between the existing workforce and any new hires brought in to support the agency’s expanded role. The organization now has over 700 employees who come from diverse backgrounds, and Gaspar emphasized the need to unify these employees under a common vision.
He also expressed his gratitude to AIMA’s staff, who faced significant tension during the merger process. The creation of AIMA required navigating a difficult period of restructuring, which included absorbing two different schools of thought on immigration management. This has presented both operational and cultural challenges as the agency works toward building a cohesive identity.
Loss of Functions to PSP: A Natural Evolution?
The Role of PSP in Immigration Enforcement
In 2023, the Portuguese government announced the creation of the National Unit for Foreigners and Borders within the PSP. This unit now handles the return and removal of citizens who are in an illegal situation in the country, responsibilities that were previously managed by AIMA. The decision to transfer these functions to PSP was made to ensure a more focused and efficient handling of immigration enforcement, particularly in cases of expulsion.
While some viewed this shift as a loss of power for AIMA, Gaspar downplayed the significance, calling it a “natural” decision. He stressed that AIMA’s core mission—managing immigration and integration—remains intact, and the agency still plays a crucial role in the overall migration system in Portugal.
Cooperation with Law Enforcement Agencies
One of AIMA’s key strengths lies in its ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement agencies. Gaspar highlighted the recent example of the arrest of an international fugitive in an AIMA store in Vila Real, which demonstrated the positive cooperation between AIMA and the police. This kind of inter-agency collaboration ensures that public safety and immigration enforcement are handled in a coordinated manner.
AIMA’s Integration Focus: Helping Immigrants Thrive in Portugal
Despite some of the administrative changes, AIMA retains its critical role in the integration of immigrants. This includes ensuring that new arrivals are not only legally documented but also supported as they settle into life in Portugal.
Role of Cultural Mediators in Immigrant Integration
AIMA has placed significant emphasis on the use of cultural mediators to support its integration efforts. These mediators, who are often employees of migrant associations, provide a vital link between immigrant communities and AIMA. Gaspar praised the mediators’ “very important” role in serving the needs of immigrant communities, especially in providing culturally relevant support and assistance.
However, the precarious employment situation of many cultural mediators has been a cause for concern. Gaspar acknowledged this issue and expressed a willingness to explore ways to improve their working conditions, ensuring that they can continue to play a crucial role in helping immigrants integrate into Portuguese society.
Improving Service Delivery: Extending Store Hours
In an effort to better serve immigrants, AIMA is also considering extending the opening hours of its stores. This would allow for a greater range of services to be available to users, especially those who may have difficulty accessing these services during standard business hours. Gaspar mentioned that a shift work system could be implemented to ensure that the stores can remain open for longer periods, improving access to essential services like residency renewals and documentation processing.
The Future of AIMA: Building a Stronger Identity
Key Priorities for AIMA’s Future
As AIMA continues to evolve, its leadership has identified several key priorities for the agency’s future growth:
- Building a Distinct Organizational Identity: AIMA must continue to work toward building a cohesive identity that merges the best aspects of its predecessor organizations while establishing a unique and integrated approach to migration and asylum management.
- Strengthening Cooperation with Law Enforcement: Ensuring that the agency maintains strong relationships with law enforcement agencies like PSP will be crucial to its success in managing immigration effectively.
- Enhancing Service Delivery: AIMA’s focus on improving service delivery, such as extending store hours, will be vital in ensuring that immigrants can access the services they need in a timely and efficient manner.
- Supporting Cultural Mediators: Cultural mediators will remain a cornerstone of AIMA’s integration efforts, and addressing their employment situation will be important in ensuring that they can continue to serve immigrant communities effectively.
Opportunities and Challenges Ahead
AIMA’s journey is far from over. The agency still faces the challenge of fully integrating its diverse workforce and clarifying its role in the broader migration system. At the same time, there are significant opportunities for AIMA to play a leading role in shaping Portugal’s immigration policies, particularly as the country continues to attract immigrants from around the world.
Conclusion
The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has faced a challenging yet promising journey since its creation in 2021. While it has lost some of its enforcement responsibilities to PSP, its core mission of managing immigration and integration remains intact. With over 700 employees, AIMA is working to build a distinct identity and improve its service delivery to better support immigrants in Portugal.
From enhancing the role of cultural mediators to extending store hours for improved access to services, AIMA is taking important steps toward becoming a more effective and responsive agency. As it continues to evolve, AIMA has the potential to become a key player in shaping Portugal’s future as a destination for immigrants and asylum seekers alike.
For AIMA, the search for identity is not just about defining its role within the government—it’s about ensuring that immigrants can successfully integrate into Portuguese society and thrive in their new home.
