The court responsible for handling cases against AIMA is on the brink of collapse, according to a report published by Público on 20/10/2024. The report states that in just a few hours, 500 cases were sent to the court.
Given the thousands of cases flooding the court, it is clear that there are not enough judges to process them. As a result, some cases have been stalled for more than 90 days, with no clear timeline for when they will be heard.
Judicial Actions: The Only Option for Scheduling at AIMA
Judicial actions have become the only way for immigrants to secure an appointment with AIMA. Previously, appointments were available via the contact center, but no slots have been available for months. For family reunification, no appointments have been available for more than 2 years.
Many immigrants have successfully secured appointments through court orders. Initially, the process was quick, and even the issuance of the residence card was handled swiftly. However, as more immigrants realized that judicial action was their only option, thousands of cases were sent to the court, which is now struggling to keep up.
Expected Normalization by Mid-2025
The office of António Leitão Amaro, the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, informed Público that the services for immigrants are expected to return to normal by June 2025.
Urgency Proof Required by the Court
For those considering legal action, it is important to note that the court now requires proof of urgency. This means that immigrants must demonstrate that their case cannot wait until June 2025. In the case of residence permit renewals, AIMA has been arguing that documents remain valid until June 2025, and some judges have accepted this reasoning, dismissing the cases.
Judicial Action: The Only Option for Urgent Cases
For those facing urgent circumstances, judicial action remains the only option, as long as it is supported by sufficient proof of urgency. While delays and uncertainty persist regarding court decisions, there is, unfortunately, no other alternative.
Adriano Martins Pinheiro, lawyer in Portugal .
