With more than a thousand signatures, a proposal for a Brazilian lawyer will be analyzed by parliamentary committee. The goal is to reach 7,500 supports and ensure debate in plenary.
A public petition presented to the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal, and made available on its website, surpassed this week the mark of a thousand signatures, the minimum number necessary for the document to be considered by a parliamentary committee. The initiative, led by the Luso-Brazilian lawyer Priscila Ferreira, proposes the maintenance of the term of five years of legal residence as a requirement for the acquisition of Portuguese nationality. The proposal comes in response to discussions in the country that aim to increase this period to 10 years.
In an interview with PUBLIC Brazil, Priscila explains that his intention is to reach at least 7,500 signatures — an amount required for the subject to be, obligatorily, discussed in plenary, according to article 24 of the Regiment of the Assembly of the Republic. “This amendment compromises rights already acquired by thousands of immigrants. We are talking about people who already live integrated, who contribute to the economy and who now find themselves threatened by changes that do not respect the very letter of the law in force,” he says.
The petition, entitled Manutenção do prazo da nacionalidade por tempo de residência de 5 anos e proteção jurídica ao direito adquirido, also requests the immediate application of article 15(4) of the Nationality Law (Law No. 37/1981). The excerpt provides that, for the purposes of counting the legal time of residence, the time at which the application for authorisation was made should be considered, provided that it is granted — and not the date on which the authorization was officially granted.
In the document sent to Parliament, the lawyer also highlights the structural difficulties faced by immigrants, such as the long delays in the analysis of requests by AIMA (Agência for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which inherited functions from the extinct SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service). “Today, a process that should take 90 working days takes more than three years. This cannot serve as an excuse to deny rights or prolong unfair demands,” he argues.
The proposal suggests specific changes to the Nationality Law, including the recognition of the acquired right to nationality for those who have already completed five years of residence, regardless of the possible legislative change. “We need to ensure a just transition rule. You can not change the game in the middle of the match and harm those who have already met all the required criteria,” says Priscila.
The New Assembly
With the new composition of the Assembly of the Republic, mostly to the right, after the last elections, Priscila anticipates challenges in advancing the proposal. “The debate will be tough. But it is possible to achieve a victory with the presentation of solid arguments”, he defends. For her, decisions about nationality should not be shaped by populist pressures, but by consistent data and strategic vision. “The law should not be changed by the movement of populism, but by consistency and statistics and profit in what change brings to the country. But unfortunately today’s politics is done with much oba-oba and little reflection on social and long-term vision program.”
The lawyer also draws attention to the demographic impact of the measure: “In an aging population, which only grows 2% per year and which, in 2023, already totaled 2.5 million people. It is more than 20% of the population. Denying nationality means reducing the ability to promote the country. The average age in Portugal has risen from 38 to 47 years. We must rejuvenate the workforce. The nationality in less time makes Portugal attractive”, he points out.
According to the rules of the Assembly of the Republic, petitions with more than a thousand signatures must be analyzed by a parliamentary committee, and the proponents have the right to present the case at a hearing. From 2,500 signatures, the petition is formally debated by the commission, and with 7,500, the discussion in plenary becomes mandatory.
Engagement of Immigrants
Priscila believes that adherence to the petition can grow rapidly with the engagement of the immigrant community in Portugal. “This is a collective fight. Immigrants are attentive, mobilized and aware of the importance of maintaining legal certainty and dignity in the country where they chose to live”, he reinforces.
In recent years, the number of foreigners residing in Portugal has increased significantly, totaling about 1.6 million. Official data indicate that Brazilians lead the concessions of residence and nationality in the country. Legislative changes that directly affect this public have generated intense debate both in civil society and in the corridors of political power.
While the future of the proposal will be determined in the coming months, the petition author continues to mobilize supporters. “We want to avoid setbacks. It is time to advance in inclusion, not exclusions,” he concludes.