In statements to TSF, the former government official states that, even so, she understands the words of Jorge Miranda, who defended that anyone who wants to immigrate to Portugal must know how to speak Portuguese.
Ana Catarina Mendes, former minister responsible for immigration inAntónio Costa's government, understands the statements made by constitutionalist Jorge Miranda, but warns that not knowing how to speak Portuguese cannot be a reason to reject the entry of immigrants into Portugal
In statements quoted by the Lusa news agency, Jorge Miranda , considered the father of the Portuguese Constitution, argued that anyone who wants to immigrate to Portugal must know how to speak Portuguese as a "method of integration". The constitutionalist also stressed that he has nothing against immigration and that closing doors is not a solution, but knowing the Portuguese language should be mandatory. "I am very much in favor of immigration, first and foremost, for the sake of human fraternity. No country can close itself off from the rest of the world," he said.
Interviewed by TSF , Ana Catarina Mendes understands Jorge Miranda's words, but warns that language should not be a factor of exclusion. " I would say that I somewhat disagree with Professor Jorge Miranda's view, as far as I can see, it is a condition for welcoming immigrants to speak Portuguese. I think that the issue of Portuguese should be part of the integration of those who arrive here or who want to arrive here to be able to be integrated through the language and, from that point of view, I completely agree", the former government official explained to TSF .
Ana Catarina Mendes also understands " Professor Jorge Miranda's concern with the CPLP countries". Even so, she stresses that "this is why there is now a set of instruments that facilitate the integration or arrival of citizens from CPLP countries, starting with visas, which are faster".
March 15, 2025 at 1:18 pm
Ana Catarina Mendes warns that the Portuguese language "should not be a factor of exclusion" for the entry of immigrants
In statements to TSF, the former government official states that, even so, she understands the words of Jorge Miranda, who defended that anyone who wants to immigrate to Portugal must know how to speak Portuguese.
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Ana Catarina Mendes
Global Images (archive)
Ana Catarina Mendes, former minister responsible for immigration in António Costa's government, understands the statements made by constitutionalist Jorge Miranda, but warns that not knowing how to speak Portuguese cannot be a reason to reject the entry of immigrants into Portugal.
In statements quoted by the Lusa news agency, Jorge Miranda , considered the father of the Portuguese Constitution, argued that anyone who wants to immigrate to Portugal must know how to speak Portuguese as a "method of integration". The constitutionalist also stressed that he has nothing against immigration and that closing doors is not a solution, but knowing the Portuguese language should be mandatory. "I am very much in favor of immigration, first and foremost, for the sake of human fraternity. No country can close itself off from the rest of the world," he said.
Interviewed by TSF , Ana Catarina Mendes understands Jorge Miranda's words, but warns that language should not be a factor of exclusion. " I would say that I somewhat disagree with Professor Jorge Miranda's view, as far as I can see, it is a condition for welcoming immigrants to speak Portuguese. I think that the issue of Portuguese should be part of the integration of those who arrive here or who want to arrive here to be able to be integrated through the language and, from that point of view, I completely agree", the former government official explained to TSF .
Ana Catarina Mendes also understands " Professor Jorge Miranda's concern with the CPLP countries". Even so, she stresses that "this is why there is now a set of instruments that facilitate the integration or arrival of citizens from CPLP countries, starting with visas, which are faster".
"It is clear that the issue of language does not arise for these people, we cannot exclude all the others who do not speak Portuguese, we have to have programs to teach Portuguese so that integration is easier and is a factor of social inclusion", he states.
When asked about the importance of language as a factor of integration, the former minister believes that what is happening in Portugal demonstrates this.
"Just yesterday [Friday] I visited a school in Torres Vedras, which also has a Portuguese project, the host language, and as far as I know the schools are doing this. The idea I had at the time was that it shouldn't just be schools, or just employment centers, but that there could be a national plan, which was in the transition part, I hope it will be implemented, because it is clear that if a person cannot communicate, it is very difficult to include or integrate into society", he considers, adding that language "is a decisive factor for full integration".
"It should not be a factor of exclusion, it should be a factor of integration, more than a condition for someone to be able to immigrate to Portugal", he says.