More than 70 non-governmental organisations have asked EU institutions to suspend implementation of a strategy intended to increase repatriations and reduce irregular migration, RTP and CNN Portugal report. The request asks the EU to halt rollout while concerns about the approach are considered. Those working with migrants, asylum seekers or legal aid services should monitor EU communications and national guidance for any immediate changes.

Update: Reports confirm NGO numbers; EU reply not reported

Correio da Manhã and CNN Portugal reiterate that more than 70 NGOs signed the request asking the EU to pause the repatriation strategy; the outlets report the appeal but did not record a formal response from EU institutions at the time of publication.

Update: RTP says NGOs call for outright rejection

RTP reports the signatories are calling for the outright rejection of the European Commission's pact to accelerate repatriations, warning it could enable home raids, expanded surveillance and racial discrimination similar to policies used by ICE in the United States. The language in RTP's piece is stronger than earlier coverage that described a request to suspend rollout; outlets still report no formal response from EU institutions.