IOM, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and the Portuguese Ministry of Interior have signed an agreement to ensure premises used for the detention of irregular migrants awaiting deportation meet humanitarian standards. 

The agreement applies to a soon- to- be-opened centre for irregular migrants who have received a removal order.  The centre, which will open later this spring in Porto, is the first in Portugal to provide temporary accommodation and support for these irregular migrants. Until now, migrants who had received an order of expulsion were detained in prisons with ordinary criminals.

"IOM believes persons awaiting removal should be sheltered in special facilities separate from ordinary criminals," says IOM's Chief of Mission in Lisbon Monica Goracci. "This agreement does this. It also ensures migrants have a right to free legal, medical and social assistance and can be visited by family members."

The new centre, which will shelter up to 36 migrants for a maximum of 60 days, will be managed and maintained by Portugal's Border and Alien Service. IOM and JRS will set up a joint monitoring commission, provide access to legal, medical and social workers and will train cultural mediators, who will provide support on a day-to-day basis to individuals and families. 

IOM staff will also provide up-to-date information on legal procedures, steps and regulations for entry and permanent residence in Portugal and the European Union.

For further information, please contact:

Monica Goracci
Chief of Mission, IOM Lisbon
Tel: +351 21 324 29 49
Email: mgoracci@iom.int