Portugal President refers new immigration law to Constitutional Court

The President of Portugal has referred the new Foreigners and Asylum Law, often referred to as the ‘Return Law’, to the Constitutional Court for review. The decree introduces stricter regulations regarding asylum, detention, residency, and the removal of foreign nationals from Portuguese territory.

The move aims to align national policy with new European migration provisions. While the government maintains that the measures are necessary for effective border control and combating irregular immigration, the referral to the Constitutional Court focuses on whether these new rules balance security needs with the preservation of fundamental human rights and constitutional principles.