President requests constitutional review of new immigration law

Friday, 7 August 2026AI summary

🛂 Immigration 🏛️ Government #expat-rights #government-policy #immigration-law #residency

President requests constitutional review of new immigration law — Photo: RTP Notícias

President of the Republic António José Seguro has submitted the recently approved Foreigners and Asylum law to the Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional or TC) for a preventive review. The President cited concerns regarding provisions that could allow for family separation, the expulsion of minor Portuguese children, and detention conditions in temporary centers. The court is expected to reach a decision by September 1.

Update: President also approves inheritance law

President António José Seguro has also promulgated a decree authorizing the Government to approve a new legal regime for undivided inheritances (heranças indivisas). This legislation allows for the sale of properties within such inheritances at the request of a single heir.

Context & Explainers

President of Portugal (since March 9, 2026)
Party: Independent. Former leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Partido Socialista
Center-left

António José Martins Seguro (born March 11, 1962, in Penamacor) is a lawyer, political scientist, and the current President of the Portuguese Republic, inaugurated on March 9, 2026 after winning the two-round presidential election in January–February 2026.

Career: He led Socialist Youth (1990–1994), served as MEP (1999–2001), was Minister Adjunct to PM António Guterres (2001–2002), and led the PS parliamentary group (2004–2005). Elected PS Secretary-General in 2011 with 68%, he led the opposition during Portugal's bailout era. In 2014, António Costa defeated him in party primaries by a landslide, prompting Seguro's resignation and a decade-long retreat from politics. He returned in 2025, launching the movement UPortugal and announcing his presidential candidacy in June. He received official PS backing in October 2025 and won the presidency in February 2026.

Political philosophy: Seguro positions himself as representing a "modern and moderate" left, advocating financial responsibility while opposing austerity. As President, he has emphasized institutional trust, efficient governance, and a collaborative relationship with the government while maintaining rigorous constitutional oversight.

The Constitutional Court (Tribunal Constitucional) is Portugal's highest court for constitutional review. Its primary role is to assess whether laws, decrees, and government actions comply with the Portuguese Constitution, and it has the power to strike down or suspend unconstitutional measures.

The court consists of 13 judges — 10 appointed by the Assembly of the Republic and 3 co-opted by the other judges. It also oversees the legality of political parties and their finances, verifies election results, and rules on the constitutionality of referendums.

The Constitutional Court is frequently in the news when opposition parties, the President, or the Ombudsman refer controversial legislation for review — such as labor reforms, housing laws, or immigration policy changes. Its rulings are final and binding.