# Portugal UNEF border control operations > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-unef-border-control-operations > Updated: 2026-08-26T11:37:02.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2. The Unidade Nacional de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (UNEF), a specialized unit of the Portuguese Public Security Police (PSP) created to replace the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), has completed its first year of operation. The inaugural year was characterized by operational difficulties, specifically regarding long passenger queues and congestion at major airports like Lisbon due to the implementation of the European border control system. The National Union of Police Officers (SNOP) described the period as “very turbulent,” while advocacy groups criticized the unit for a lack of humanistic perspective and for prioritizing the “persecution of poor immigrants.” Annual activity reports indicate that the UNEF controlled nearly 20 million passengers at air border posts, leading to 428 arrests for offenses such as document fraud. Additionally, the unit’s central migration unit conducted over 5,000 enforcement actions, resulting in 1,117 irregular immigration cases and managing various forced and voluntary returns. To address high passenger flows, the PSP deployed 1,504 officers across key locations including Lisbon, Porto, Faro, the Azores, and Madeira. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Portugal's UNEF unit controls 20 million passengers in first year Portugal's UNEF unit controlled nearly 20 million air passengers and inspected over 52,000 foreigners in its first year, resulting in hundreds of arrests and thousands of voluntary or forced returns. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-unef-unit-controls-20-million-passengers-in-first-year ### 2026-08-21: Portugal's UNEF unit marks one year amid airport delays and criticism One year after its launch, Portugal's UNEF unit faces criticism over airport congestion and immigration enforcement methods, with officials and advocacy groups highlighting operational struggles. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/portugals-unef-unit-marks-one-year-amid-airport-delays-and-criticism --- Cite as: Portugal UNEF border control operations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/portugal-unef-border-control-operations