Portugal’s AIMA Migration Agency: New Leadership & Digital Push
On the third anniversary of its founding, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is shifting gears. Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro announced today that the agency is entering a “new phase” characterized by aggressive digital modernization, expanded service capacity, and a renewed focus on immigrant integration.
New Leadership at the Helm
The announcement followed a Council of Ministers meeting where César Teixeira was officially appointed as the agency’s new president. Teixeira, who previously served on AIMA’s board of directors, succeeds Pedro Portugal Gaspar. Minister Leitão Amaro indicated that Gaspar would be moving into other strategic roles within the administration.
Increased Efficiency and Reduced Backlogs
Leitão Amaro highlighted a significant turnaround in the agency’s operational performance over the past year. According to government data, AIMA served 185,000 individuals—a 60% increase over the previous period—and handled 500,000 inquiries through its call center.
The Minister emphasized that this surge in activity coincided with a downward trend in dissatisfaction. “There were significantly fewer total complaints,” Leitão Amaro stated, noting an 80% reduction in the generation of new pending cases. He attributed these improvements to a 15% increase in the agency’s workforce, including more mediators and expanded service centers.
Union Demands More Than Just Modernization
Despite the government’s optimistic outlook, the Union of Migration Technicians (STM) issued a sharp warning today, claiming that the efforts of frontline workers and socio-cultural mediators are being overlooked. The union is calling for a more “effective and stable” reinforcement of permanent staff rather than temporary measures.
A key point of contention for the STM is the reinstatement of immigration liaison officers. These positions were recently eliminated in critical Portuguese embassies, including those in Brazil, Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, India, China, and the United Kingdom. The union argues that these roles are vital for managing migration at the source.
Financial Strength and Budget Outlook
The STM further argued that AIMA’s challenges are not rooted in a lack of funds. The union pointed out that the agency’s mission structure generated €101 million in revenue against only €39 million in costs. Looking ahead, the proposed 2027 State Budget allocates €135 million to AIMA, representing a 38.6% increase in funding, raising questions from labor representatives about how that capital will be prioritized to support the workforce.
Image: Pexels – Germán Latasa
