Portugal's President sends immigration decree to Constitutional Court

Portuguese President António José Seguro has requested preventive review from the Constitutional Court regarding a parliamentary decree on asylum, detention, and the return of foreigners. While the President stated he supports the need to "fiercely combat" illegal immigration and defend borders, he argued that such measures must not be incompatible with human dignity.

The President's concerns focus on the law's impact on the best interests of children, specifically citing potential risks of separating parents from children or the indirect expulsion of minor Portuguese citizens. He noted the decree could allow for the coercive removal of foreign children under five years old born in Portugal.

The Chega party, led by André Ventura, criticized the decision as an "enormous irresponsibility" and "grave." The party argues that the legal delay caused by the court review could force the release of immigrants even if their asylum requests have been rejected, due to statutory time limits regarding detention centers.