South Asian sent back
Important points:
Airport Interceptions: Dozens, including Nepalis, stopped from flying out as authorities declare their permits invalid.
Root of the Problem: Crackdown targets those who entered Portugal illegally (without a Schengen visa) but later obtained residency.
Widespread Anxiety: Thousands of Nepalis in Portugal, many of whom used the now-revoked legal pathway, are now in legal limbo.
Tensions Rise: Incident coincides with immigrant protests and a separate murder case involving a Nepali national.
A shocking piece of news spread through the Nepali community and social media around noon on Wednesday, local time: the Portuguese government had started canceling the temporary/permanent residency permits of Nepalis returning home right at the airport.
This caused panic among hundreds of Nepalis preparing to return to Nepal for the Dashain festival. While many dismissed it as “fake news,” the non-resident Nepali association (NRN-NCC Portugal) confirmed the incident. On Wednesday alone, 12 immigrants, including some Nepalis, were prevented from flying out of Lisbon airport because their residency permits were declared invalid.
Authorities accused them of entering Portugal illegally and fraudulently obtaining their residency cards. This appears to be the start of a procedure to cancel permits held by immigrants who entered Portugal—a Schengen area country—without a proper Schengen visa but managed to get residency.
According to Deepa Kafle, President of one of the two NRN groups in Portugal, one affected Nepali has made contact. This Nepali citizen, who entered Portugal from the UK in 2022, was stopped at the airport on Wednesday while trying to travel to Nepal. Officials stated that his temporary residency permit was illegal because he lacked a Schengen visa.
This has thrown many immigrants into uncertainty, as a significant number originally entered through unofficial channels. For nearly 12 years, a legal provision allowed individuals to start the paperwork and obtain a temporary residency permit after working and paying taxes for a year, regardless of their initial entry method. This law was revoked a year and a half ago, but many had already used it to get their papers.
With thousands of Nepalis estimated to be in Portugal, many of whom entered this way, Wednesday’s event is feared to be just the beginning of a wider problem. NRN President Kafle stated that efforts are underway to facilitate a solution, with the Nepali Embassy in Lisbon (which was closed on Wednesday for a national holiday) expected to engage on Thursday.
Protest in Lisbon
Experts warn that if this continues, affected immigrants may be able to leave Portugal but will be unable to re-enter any Schengen country, stranding those who travel to Nepal.
Immigrants Stage Protest
In a related development, hundreds of immigrants held a peaceful protest in front of the Portuguese Parliament in Lisbon on Wednesday afternoon. While planned earlier, the protest was dominated by discussions of the airport crackdown. Protesters, including many from Asian and African countries, demanded easier pathways to citizenship and rights, carrying banners with slogans like “Immigrant rights are human rights.”
Nepali National Arrested for Murder
Adding to the tense atmosphere, news broke that a Nepali national allegedly murdered a 30-year-old Portuguese man in Cartaxo on Monday. The murder, reportedly following an argument over cooking, has intensified anti-immigrant sentiment and may push the government towards stricter policies. The 38-year-old Nepali suspect is currently a fugitive.
