Portugal Cencel Residence Permit 72 immigrats
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
The Applicant, Mr Singh, lawfully entered Portugal with a valid Portuguese visa, intending to establish his professional, social, and family life in the country.
Upon arrival, he observed the business opportunities in Portugal and, with this intention, created his own company in Portugal. He was physically present in Portugal when all necessary documents were obtained, with administrative support from Crown Segment, which only assisted him in obtaining documents issued by Portuguese State authorities, including NIF (Tax Number), NISS (Social Security Number), and others.
In 2020, the Applicant submitted an Expression of Interest using only his own documents, including those of his company, and he began paying contributions based on his own business activity.
The Applicant is also the father of a Portuguese-born child, who holds Portuguese citizenship and studies in a Portuguese public school. He has three other children, all of whom hold Portuguese residence permits and are enrolled in Portuguese public schools.
Later, the Applicant cancelled the Expression of Interest and applied for residence under Article 122(k) of Law no. 23/2007, based on being the parent of a Portuguese child under his care.
At no point did the Applicant provide AIMA with documents under Articles 88 or 89 relating to the cancelled Expression of Interest. His residence process was conducted exclusively under Article 122(k).
On 3 March 2021, AIMA granted the applicant their first residence permit under Article 122(k), confirming their status as the parent of a Portuguese child and primary carer.
The Applicant has continually updated his address and other personal details with the authorities as soon as he secured permanent housing and office facilities.
The Applicant has already applied for Portuguese nationality, under process no. […].
The Applicant has a stable bank account and meets his financial obligations through monthly instalments, further demonstrating his long-term integration in Portugal.
His professional life depends directly on his valid residence permit. He works in the TVDE sector, driving under Uber and Bolt platforms. If his residence card is cancelled or becomes invalid, his accounts will be blocked by the platforms, leaving him unemployed.
The Applicant is the sole provider for his family of six dependents, including his Portuguese child. The family is entirely dependent on his lawful employment in Portugal.
The Applicant has always acted in good faith, with clean and honest intentions to reside lawfully in Portugal, supported by authentic documents issued by Portuguese authorities, his contributions to Social Security, his tax declarations, his family life, and his ongoing nationality process.
Despite this, AIMA issued a collective cancellation decision against 72 individuals, including the Applicant, without:
- Prior individual hearing;
- Individual investigation of his documents;
- Giving him the chance to defend himself.
The cancellation threatens not only the Applicant’s rights but also the fundamental rights of his minor children, including his Portuguese-born child.
Protesters demand justice, residency and inclusion.
Protesters demand justice, residency and inclusion
The protest was organised amid rising concern over recent legislative proposals to tighten immigration and nationality laws in Portugal. Critics say those proposals risk undermining family reunification, prolonging uncertainty, and excluding many immigrants from full rights despite their contributions.
During the rally, speakers called out what they described as a “climate of intimidation” in the treatment of immigrants — including detentions of persons who have not committed any crime, but who are flagged in databases because of prior travel in other EU states.
One of the highlight moments was a speech by Director Dhatmit Singh Saini, who addressed the crowd with a powerful call for justice. He decried what he termed “inhuman actions” by the state toward immigrant communities — especially those who have, over time, built lives in Portugal only to face arbitrary rejections or expulsions without justification.
Broader context and reactions
Media coverage confirms that the protest drew widespread attention. Reuters published photographs showing crowds holding signs demanding rights and residency permits outside Parliament. reutersconnect.com Other news outlets reported that immigrant groups from across the country mobilised for the event, citing the urgency of resisting new restrictive laws.
The timing comes as Portugal’s government is pushing amended immigration legislation. Critics have warned that stricter rules may hamper the rights of longstanding immigrant populations, particularly regarding family reunification and legal residency. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court had previously blocked a more severe immigration bill earlier in 2025, ruling that it would violate constitutional protections. The tension between legislative ambition and constitutional guarantees adds urgency to the protestors’ demands.