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José Malheiros, a geographer and migration specialist, has already admitted that these immigration flows will not solve the problem of aging in Portugal. And he does not hesitate: “We are and will continue to age.”

Empathy, Mr. Prime Minister. That is what I wish you this Christmas. Prove that your “no means no” was not a camouflaged and cowardly “yes means yes.”

Mr Prime Minister, try to answer this set of questions honestly and without thinking about whether your answers will attract voters who have voted for the far right.

1. Have you ever been an emigrant and felt what it's like to be treated with contempt for not speaking the language of the country where you are?

Portugal needs between 50 and 100 thousand new immigrant workers per year to fuel the Portuguese economy, revealed this Wednesday the study 'Migrations and Human Rights' presented by the UGT, quoted by radio 'Renascença': Jorge Malheiros, responsible for the research, highlighted that this need will continue in the coming decades.

Imagine if there were a general strike of all immigrants living in Portugal? The country would come to a standstill. Imagine if everyone with some immigrant ancestry left the country? Would there still be a Lusitanian nation? When you think about it, it is very contradictory to have marches against immigration in a country that was and still is built by immigrants. Both those from there who migrate here and those from here who migrate there. Portugal has always been borderless. It was like that when it launched its caravels overseas.

Will the machines and robots that will replace humans in many roles in the near future also pay taxes? Will they make social security contributions? Immigrants contribute a lot.

The anti-immigration speeches spread across Europe and led by the voices of leaders of far-right parties, who understand more than anyone the power of social media, sell the idea that “ immigrants are stealing jobs  from nationals”.

The number of illegal immigrants in Europe has remained the same for 16 years and represents less than 1% of the population
A study indicates that the illegal immigrant population has remained stable since 2008 and is less than 1% of the population. It has increased in Portugal because it suffered a decline during the last crisis. Current figures are in line with 2002.

In Portugal, as in many countries, several myths about immigrants persist. These misconceptions can shape public opinion and policy debates. Here are some of the top myths about immigrants in Portugal, along with explanations that debunk them:

Research by the Faculty of Economics (FEP) of the University of Porto shows what number is needed for the country to enter the group of the richest members of the European Union by 2030.

The argument that Portugal needs immigrants to fill the country's job market is nothing new. Every year, reports and studies show this need. Now, the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto (FEP) has discovered another argument: the need to improve the country's position in the European Union (EU) wealth ranking.

Delays in obtaining residency in Portugal are causing significant challenges and suffering for immigrants, impacting various aspects of their lives. Here's how these delays are affecting immigrants:

Portugal is increasingly culturally diverse. Around 800,000 foreigners live in Portugal (including foreigners with legal resident status), a figure that has doubled in 10 years. Brazil is the main country of origin for immigrants. Countries such as the United Kingdom, Cape Verde, Romania and India follow, for example.