André Ventura Backs Trump's Controversial Immigration Policies: A Threat to Portuguese Nationals?

Ventura Supports Trump's Immigration Stance

André Ventura, the president of Chega, expressed his agreement with Donald Trump's proposal for mass deportation of illegal immigrants, which could potentially affect thousands of Portuguese citizens. Speaking in Washington during Trump's inauguration, Ventura emphasized that "safe countries have strong borders" and that those who violate rules must be sent back to their country of origin.

Emphasizing Law Compliance

Ventura stated, "There are rules in Portugal and everywhere in the world. Those who do not comply must return to their home country." He argued that the message is not just from Chega or Vox leaders but also resonates with the President of the United States, a country he referred to as a reference of freedom and human rights.

Trump's Deportation Promise

In his inauguration speech, Trump vowed to expel "millions and millions" of illegal immigrants, marking it as a key focus of his campaign and promising the largest mass deportation in U.S. history. Ventura supported this initiative, stating that anyone entering the U.S. must be legal, reflecting a similar stance in Europe where he believes illegal immigrants should also return to their home countries.

Addressing Portuguese Irregularities

When asked if his message applies to Portuguese immigrants in the U.S., Ventura responded affirmatively, demanding that "Portuguese must comply with the law". He expressed confidence that most Portuguese abroad follow the rules and that their numbers among illegal immigrants are not significant. However, he stressed that all immigrants in Portugal must adhere to the laws, regardless of their nationality.

Contingency Plans for Azorean Emigrants

The Azores government is reportedly preparing a contingency plan to assist Azorean emigrants who may face deportation under Trump's policies.

Opposition to Gender Ideology

Additionally, Ventura supported Trump's executive order recognizing only two genders, expressing alignment with European right-wing movements that aim to eliminate gender ideology from schools. Ventura highlighted Trump's remarks as a significant step in addressing what he sees as a civilizational struggle against gender ideology.

Conclusion

Trump's administration is expected to reverse previous efforts by the Biden administration to expand gender identity designations, reinforcing a binary understanding of gender. Ventura's participation in the inauguration alongside other far-right European leaders underscores a growing alignment on these controversial issues.