Trump's Deportation Plans: How Many Portuguese Could Be Affected?

Donald Trump guaranteed on Monday during his inauguration speech that he will expel "millions and millions" of illegal immigrants, a key promise from his campaign, during which he vowed to carry out the "largest mass deportation in the country's history.

According to estimates from the Department of Homeland Security in 2022, there are about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, although Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the real number is about double that.

How Many Portuguese Might Be Affected?

PS deputy and former Secretary of State for Communities, José Luís Carneiro, stated that Trump's measure could affect 3,600 Portuguese, as Portugal, along with China and Spain, is one of the three countries with the most 'overstayers'—immigrants who traveled to the US with a 90-day visa and exceeded that period.

What Does the Government Say?

The Portuguese Foreign Minister stated on Tuesday that any deportations of irregular Portuguese citizens in the United States are not expected to have a "significant impact" and that the government is "prepared" and working in coordination with the Azorean government, which is preparing a contingency plan to welcome deported Azorean emigrants.

"We do not foresee a significant impact, but we are always prepared," said Paulo Rangel during a hearing in the parliamentary committee on European Affairs.

Community Reactions

Mário Francisco Ferreira, a counselor for the Portuguese Communities in the Washington DC area, expressed disappointment over the lack of responses and guidance from the Portuguese government regarding Trump's plans for mass deportations.

"It is unacceptable that the Portuguese government is not treating this issue with the seriousness it deserves. Even more regrettable is the fact that they sought guidance from the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, the Ambassador of Portugal, and the Secretary of Portuguese Communities and received no response," Ferreira lamented.

As a member of the Council of Portuguese Communities (CCP), Ferreira questioned several Portuguese authorities about the government's plans for the potential repatriation of nationals and whether the embassy and consulates in the US would have an "emergency hotline" for support.

Despite numerous inquiries regarding the urgent issue, Ferreira criticized the lack of answers.

"Everything I know is thanks to the Portuguese press," he lamented. "The issue is that the Portuguese government is inattentive and does not respond to its counselors. Why have a council?"

The Azores' Concerns

On January 13, the Azores government announced that it was preparing a contingency plan to accommodate Azorean emigrants who might be deported by the new Trump administration.

Today it was announced that the government intends to create a task force to ensure responses in the areas of education, health, training, housing, and inclusion.

Repatriation Numbers for 2024

The United States repatriated 69 Portuguese in 2024, an increase of nine compared to the previous year, according to the annual report from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In 2019, Portugal received back 101 citizens, with numbers fluctuating in subsequent years: 47 in 2020, 28 in 2021, 33 in 2022, and 60 in 2023.

These services are responsible for the detention and deportation of foreigners deemed a threat to American communities or who violate immigration laws.

Deportations from Other Lusophone Countries

In 2024, the US deported 119 Angolan citizens, an increase of 49 from the previous year, and three times more than in 2019.

Among other Lusophone African countries, Cape Verde saw 12 deportations, while Guinea-Bissau had four and Mozambique had three.

Brazil experienced the deportation of 1,859 citizens in 2024, a rise of 15.68% compared to 2023. According to US data, 1,770 Brazilians were deported in 2019, increasing to 1,902 in 2020 and 1,935 in 2021, before dropping to 1,767 in 2022, and 1,607 in 2023.

With Lusa