Amanda Abreu, a Brazilian who has lived in Portugal for nine years, says delays by the Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) blocked her paperwork and she plans to file a complaint at the European Court of Human Rights. She told Lusa she has gathered testimony alleging obstruction of justice and “numerous allegations of xenophobia.” The move highlights that administrative delays can escalate to international legal action; those awaiting immigration decisions should log delays and collect correspondence. Visa holders and those applying for residency should be aware of potential long delays in AIMA procedures.
Brazilian to take AIMA delays to European court
Sunday, 22 February 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The European Court of Human Rights (Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos) is an international court in Strasbourg that enforces the European Convention on Human Rights and issues binding judgments against Council of Europe member states (46 countries). Established in 1959, it hears complaints from individuals and governments and can require states to pay compensation or change policies, but cases often take several years and usually require domestic remedies to be exhausted first.
Amanda Abreu is a Brazilian immigrant who is preparing a complaint to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) alleging long delays by the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA). Her case, mentioned to Lusa, aims to obtain accounting records to support the action and highlights that migrants may use the ECHR if domestic administrative delays affect their rights.
Pedro Gaspar is the president of the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo or AIMA). His office is responsible for migration and asylum policies, so changes or statements from him affect migrants, asylum seekers and those using integration services in Portugal.
Temporary residence is a limited residence permit that allows non‑EU nationals to live in Portugal for a set period (commonly one year, renewable) for study, work or other reasons. The Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA) launching an online form means eligible students who also work can apply or regularise their status more easily through AIMA’s process rather than only via consular services.
The Immigration Law is Portugal’s legal framework that governs entry, residency, asylum and deportation of non-nationals. It was amended by Law No. 61/2025 on October 22, 2025, after parts of an earlier draft were rejected by the Constitutional Court; the changes reorganise administrative responsibilities and introduce stricter control measures that affect visas, residency and family reunification processes.
