The Public Security Police (PSP) confirmed the increase in irregular immigrants arriving in Portugal by train and bus, with the main destination being the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto.

 

The Public Security Police (PSP) confirmed the increase in irregular immigrants arriving in Portugal by train and bus, with the main destination being the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto.

Details of Migratory Movements

According to the statements of João Ribeiro, deputy national director of the PSP and responsible for the National Unit of Foreigners and Borders (UNEF), released by bodies such as SIC Notícias and Público, the phenomenon has the following characteristics:

• Secondary movements: Migrants enter Europe through other member states (such as France, Belgium or the Netherlands) and travel by land to Portugal after failing to obtain legalization in these countries.
• Arrival destinations: Flows are concentrated in the main bus terminals and train stations of large Portuguese cities.
• Portugal as a crossing point: For many of these citizens, the ultimate goal is not to stay in national territory, but to "make the leap" to other destinations, such as Ireland, later using the air border.
• Police control: The PSP stresses that it maintains the ability to carry out mobile border control actions  in these transport interfaces to detect and monitor the situation of passengers