“We Are Workers, Not Criminals: Peaceful Protest Shakes Porto Over SIS Deportations”
Porto, Portugal – July 29, 2025
Hundreds of immigrants took to the streets of Porto today in a peaceful demonstration demanding legal residency and protection from what they call unjust deportations based on non-criminal alerts in the Schengen Information System (SIS)
The demonstration, held outside the temporary immigration detention center in Porto, gathered men, women, and families—many of whom have lived and worked in Portugal for more than three to five years. Protesters raised concerns over what they described as a systemic failure to regularize long-term immigrants, even those with a clean legal record and proven contributions to Portuguese society
At the center of the protest was growing outrage over the use of Article 3 SIS alerts—often tied to old asylum applications or administrative issues in other Schengen countries—as grounds for denying residence permits or initiating deportation proceedings in Portugal. Critics argue that these alerts, which are not criminal convictions and have not undergone judicial scrutiny, are being used to undermine immigrants’ rights.
The protest was organized by immigrants who have lived in Portugal for more than three to five years, many of whom worked in essential but low-paid sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic services, hospitality and elderly care.
“We are workers, not criminals”
Chanting slogans like “We are workers, not criminals”, protesters highlighted their roles in essential but underpaid sectors such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, hospitality, and elderly care. Many shared stories of having paid taxes, contributed to social security, and raised children in Portugal—all while facing legal uncertainty.
“We’re talking about people who have built their lives here, who are part of our economy, our neighborhoods, and our future,” said Dr. Timóteo Macedo, founder of Immigrant Solidarity. “Using SIS alerts with no criminal basis to justify deportations is a violation of fundamental rights.”
Dr. José Soeiro, a representative of the Left Bloc, also addressed the crowd, warning that allowing foreign data to override due process could set a dangerous precedent. “It’s not just about immigration policy—it’s about the rule of law itself.”
Real lives affected
The protest spotlighted the detention of two men: Singh, 28, and Sumit Saini, both of whom have lived and worked in Portugal for several years with clean records and documented contributions to society.
Singh, who had worked in agriculture and catering since arriving more than three years ago, was detained based on an SIS alert originating from another European country where he had previously applied for asylum. According to supporters, the alert does not involve any crime or investigation, yet Singh was arrested and placed in a detention center without access to legal support.
Sumit Saini, who lived in Madeira and worked in hospitality and construction, faced similar circumstances. Despite being fully integrated into the community and having no criminal record, Saini was detained under unclear grounds linked to a vague SIS alert.
Immigration consultant and community leader Mr. Dharmjit Singh Saini, who spoke on behalf of both men and many others, condemned the situation as a miscarriage of justice. “These men trusted the system. They pay taxes, follow the law, and help keep key industries alive. Portugal must not blindly follow alerts from third countries—especially when they haven’t been reviewed by a court.”
Calls for reform
The demonstrators urged the Portuguese government, particularly the Agency for Migration and Mobility (AIMA) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to:
Respect constitutional and international protections guaranteeing due process and human dignity.
Legal experts supporting the demonstration pointed out that the mass use of SIS alerts in this way may violate both the Portuguese Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguard individuals against arbitrary state action and ensure the right to a fair trial.
A call for humanity
“This is not just about laws. It’s about people’s lives,” said one protester, holding a photo of a friend recently detained. “Portugal has always been a country of compassion and openness. We are asking it to live up to those values.”
The protest ended with a moment of silence and a final chant: “Justice, not deportation!”, echoing through the streets of Porto.
