AIMA had mistakenly issued an expulsion order to a nine-year-old Brazilian child who has lived in the Algarve since she was eight months old.
Beatriz’s family is originally from Goiânia and now resides in Albufeira. On 7 April, they were surprised to receive a notification of voluntary departure from the national territory, even though the parents have stable jobs and permanent residence permits.
The agency first refused the application, citing missing proof of accommodation. Jurists and specialists called this a “serious error” and a violation of children’s rights, since both children’s names appeared on the lease agreement submitted by the parents.
Institutional crisis
This incident triggered an institutional crisis for AIMA, as complaints against the agency surged by 36% in the first quarter of 2026. The situation revealed administrative failures and dissatisfaction with the transparency of regularisation processes.
The situation became more serious when the minor’s name was entered into the Internal Security System and the Schengen Area databases.
Violating the Constitution
Lawyers and human rights experts argued that AIMA’s decision violated the Portuguese Constitution and the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. The resulting public outcry led the agency to review and address the case after it received media attention.
Apologising to the family
After the case became public, AIMA admitted its mistake, annulled the deportation order, and confirmed that residency for Beatriz and her brother was approved. The notifications were corrected accordingly.
In an official statement, the agency committed to ensuring “legality, consistency, and quality of administrative decisions,” yet legal experts now call for an internal investigation to determine responsibility.
Political consequences
This episode comes at a sensitive time, before President Lula da Silva’s official visit to Portugal on 21 April. Immigration, xenophobia, and the function of reception institutions will headline talks with President António José Seguro and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
