A advisor to Deputy Minister Ana Catarina Mendes it will be the new liaison officer for UK immigrationa position that had never been occupied before.
Without waiting for the entry into force, next October 29, of the diploma to be placed with the new Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) – which will carry out the administrative powers of the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) – the power to elect immigration liaison officers, the Home Secretary suggested and his Foreign Office colleague appointed for the first time a staff member who is not an SEF inspector.
The law still in force is clear about the requirement for the selection of liaison officers: “The Minister of the Interior may SEF Investigation and Inspection OfficersGNR officers or PSP police officers on commission, for three years, renewable and revocable at any time, liaison officers for international organizations or abroad, depending on national interests and commitments made in the context of international cooperation”.
In the diploma that created AIMA, the privilege of nominating immigration liaison officers will be “on the proposal of the member of government responsible for the migration area” and the potential candidates selected for the post will be “Employees of the AIMAassigned to them or applying for them”.
Like Home Office liaison officers, immigration officers are also stationed at embassies and earn high salaries in the order of 12 thousand euros per monthmaking them one of the most sought after by security forces and services.
From public relations to immigration “expert” in Vienna
Joan Fernandes was the name suggested by José Luís Carneiro and the nomination notice signed by João Gomes Cravinho even mentions the diploma that awards these functions to SEF inspectors.
In the same dispatch, which produces ” July 15 securitiesSubsequently, the MNE notes that it is the task of the designated person to develop, in cooperation with Portuguese and UK entities, actions leading to the fulfillment of Portugal’s obligations under the Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. of the European Union (…) in particular with regard to the recognition of the right of residence of citizens subject to the personal application of the Agreement”.
“Specialist technician” in the office of Ana Catarina Mendes since April 2022, gave “advice on equality and migration”.
In your curriculum note published in Diário da República it is emphasized that he is academically taking an “Advanced Course in Immigration and Nationality Law from the Institute of Legal and Political Sciences (ICJP), in March 2022” (one month before moving to the office of the Deputy Minister); a “Postgraduate degree in Strategy from the University of Lisbon – Higher Institute of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP); and a degree in European Studies from the University of Coimbra (2004 -2010)”.
Professionally, she started at ISCSP, as a senior technician, then moved on a mobility basis to the SEF, in 2016, to perform the functions of “Senior Policy Advisor”, posted to the Office of International Relations, Cooperation and Public Relations.
In fact, it is at this time that he receives a 2019 commendation from the then Interior Minister, Eduardo Cabrita, for the “competent, dedicated and dedicated manner in which he fulfilled his duties” in the GRICRP”.
Remember, as reported by DN, Cabrita even thought about it then National Director of SEF, Cristina Gatões, to the position of liaison officer in the United Kingdom, but eventually resigned after the death of Ihor Homeniuk. The post has been empty so far.
After the GCICRP, Joana Fernandes went to the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in Vienna as a “leading national expert”.
police work
Each of these positions, SEF sources assured the DN, match the qualifications of the superior technician, including that of the ICMPD, formerly held by Manuela Niza, of the non-police career and president of the Union of Administrative Employees of the SEF .
Which is not the case with the current appointment in the UK, neither in relation to the moment nor to the qualifications of Joana Fernandes. Not only is the United Kingdom not a country of origin for high-risk migration flows to Portugal, the consequences of Brexit for Portuguese citizens residing there have also already been regulated.
On the other hand, the same sources warn at this time an Immigration Liaison Officer is based on migration matters, particularly in terms of cooperating with UK authorities, on security and investigations.
Portugal has served as a transit platform for criminal networks involved in irregular migration to the UK, human trafficking, organizing so-called “white marriages”, forgery of documents and money laundering. In this context, the SEF has even conducted several joint investigations with the United Kingdom and Europol.
“This is the scope of police-immigration cooperation that justifies the need for a liaison officer in that country,” they insist.
The DN moves several questions to the cabinet of Minister José Luís Carneiro about the expediency, justification, criteria, legal framework, experience and expectations regarding the choice of Ana Catarina Mendes’ advisor, but received no response.
Source: DN
