The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has formed collaborations with several institutions that support immigrants, aiming to resolve the more than 400,000 pending immigration cases by June 2025. Many of these cases have been awaiting resolution for over two years. Partner institutions are receiving training to carry out essential services such as biometric data collection.
PÚBLICO Brasil confirmed the partnership with four of these entities, which were unable to disclose details due to a confidentiality agreement with AIMA. The initiative is part of a task force created by the Government, integrated into the set of 41 measures announced last June.
To meet the demand, associations focused on supporting immigrants have opened recruitment processes for sociocultural mediators. AIMA believes this collaboration will be crucial in meeting the stipulated deadlines and restoring normal service. Since it took over the functions of the former Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) last October, the agency has struggled to provide efficient service to the immigrant population.
Previously, the Government relied on overtime and weekend work to regularise the situation. However, this measure was insufficient, leading AIMA staff to begin a strike against these working hours, set to last until 31 December. A meeting between the Government and worker representatives is scheduled this month to discuss their demands.
Service Issues
Citizens relying on AIMA have faced various problems, such as long queues and difficulties booking online appointments. The Brazilian community, representing nearly half of the pending cases, is one of the most affected. Uelber Oliveira, 36, from Bahia, stated, “It is unacceptable that AIMA treats taxpayers this way.” A resident of Portugal for three years, Uelber has been trying to convert his Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) residence permit into a traditional residency document through his son, who was born in Portugal.
The Minister for the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, in a recent interview, emphasised that the task force created to handle the pending cases will begin operations this month. “We are contracting spaces with municipal councils, entities, and non-governmental organisations to create service centres, with specialised teams to speed up the processing of cases,” said the minister.
Leitão Amaro explained that the operation includes document verification, in-person appointments, biometric data collection, and the final issuance of documents after case evaluations. By the time this article was finalised, AIMA had not responded to requests for comment.
Source: Adapted from Público Brasil.