“The operation in Martim Moniz was just one of several. We have several plans, we have given instructions to the security forces to continue doing this work on the ground. When situations of illegal immigration are detected, abusers and traffickers must be criminally penalised and anyone who is illegal in the country must be subject to a removal measure”, said the Minister of the Presidency in parliament.

António Leitão Amaro highlighted that “those who are illegally in Portugal must have consequences and cannot carry out activities or cannot remain in an illegal situation”, stressing that the Government is “committed to enforcing the rules”.

“The Government is as concerned about [immigrants] coming through regular channels so that they are well integrated with humanism, as it is about the rules being complied with,” he said.

For the minister, the rules must be complied with so that “those who think they come illegally do not come”, and so that cases of exploitation of human beings, who are placed in the country “in unworthy conditions, living in crowded houses, with the exploitation of work, being paid poorly, with their passports kept.”

“This has to end. This only ends if the State exercises authority and if the State is on the streets carrying out inspections”, he stated.