According to a report by NM, at least two deputies from the Chega party have problems – and accusations – related to illegal immigration, even though the party aims to combat what it says is "uncontrolled immigration" and argues that "you can only stay in Portugal as an immigrant who does not commit crimes, and if he does commit crimes, will be expelled."
Chega deputy José Dias Fernandes, worked and lived as an illegal immigrant in France for several years, after having emigrated there in the 70s. The man, a businessman born in Viana do Castelo, even confessed to having been expelled "twice", in an interview with LusoJornal.
"I was expelled twice. It's true. […] I tried Andorra and went back to France and was expelled again. I came back in 1978, again," he said.
It was only during the presidency of François Mitterrand, of the Socialist Party, that the now elected deputy managed to "do the papers" and obtain a residence permit. But, if the measures advocated by the collective he is part of had been applied in France, he could not have returned.
However, José Dias Fernandes is not the only case in the party. Marcus Santos, the fifth elected member in the Porto constituency, was arrested twice on charges of fraudulent immigration in the US state of Florida, according to criminal records published on the Arrests.org platform.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the 44-year-old man was arrested at the age of 25, both in December 2004 and February 2005. It is unknown, however, whether he was convicted or expelled from the country.
Given the 'buzz' on social media, the former athlete said he had "no problem with the North American justice system or any other country", ignoring the existence of arrest records.
"Every year I go to the United States, where I am received by all my students with great admiration and affection. God bless America. Long live Portugal," he wrote.
The Chega manifesto wants to force immigrants in the country to make five years of contributions before having access to social support, citizens who, in 2022, were responsible for a profit of more than 1,600 million euros in Social Security. It also intends that immigrants who make asylum requests "remain in temporary support centers" until they obtain validation, as well as the "repatriation of those who violate Portuguese criminal law".
Chega, which proposes annual quotas for the entry of foreigners into Portugal based "on the qualifications of immigrants and the needs of the Portuguese economy", also wants a "diagnosis of the sectors most in need of labour in Portugal, as well as the analysis of the risks of non-integrated immigration".
Why this kind of Important Informations just came out after the election? Why the president of Chega accepts to work with these people’s? Most important, would he accept them to stay as member of the parties, even more member of the parliament?
By Jean-Pierre Gendreau from Algarve on 24 Mar 2024, 10:47
I would like to make clear a few points regarding immigration, given the results of the last Portuguese election. The UK (and still) is going through problems with immigration, which was a big driver in the UK leaving the EU. Not ALL facts given by politicians were true in the debate to leave the EU (opinion polls now show a majority to rejoin the EU!). It also damaged the Country with a clearly divided society, which continues today. The leave result majority was 1.9% larger than that to remain in the EU, with the younger population up to the age of 40 years old, the majority wishing to remain in the EU.
The result of this referendum is available to fact check on-line.
Many people will understand politics is a very dirty occupation, also many people will take what policans say with a degree of caution.
I am a British citizen living in Portugal, with an independent salary from pensions, who is fully registered and a permanent citizen as is my wife.
Our health care is registered, and our treatment in Portugal is claimed back through the social security system from the UK. Our health treatment is paid for.
Our pension salary is paid into the Portuguese economy supporting many business types in our area. I receive no money paid to me or my wife from the Portuguese state. I contribute to the Portuguese economy, and taxes to the Portuguese state. I am a guest in your Country, from the time when the UK was in the EU, under freedom of movement. Can I also add there is a vibrant Portuguese community in the UK (not always treated as they should be by POLICIANS!).
We also have climate change which has the potential to effect populations in the world, also war (Ukraine) which can also affect migration and refugees.
By Ian Dowdle from Alentejo on 24 Mar 2024, 11:24