Immigrants protest in Lisbon against rules established by the Foreigners and Borders Service SEF

For many Portuguese, the sun Sunday was an invitation to go to the beach. But for hundreds of people living in Lisbon, especially immigrants, it was a day of going out against the changes made by an order of March of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF), which accuse restricts the possibility of legalization. Some of those who participated in the protest explained antagonism: take to the streets because they feel hidden in the shade.

The meeting point for the action called by the Platform Immigration and Citizenship (PIC) was the square Martim Moniz, "the most international city square" in the center of Lisbon. Glimpsed up banners and posters. One, painted blue and yellow, the colors of the EU flag, called for a "no fortress Europe". "Immigrants in Portugal, equal citizen", "Expulsion is not the solution", "No one is illegal", they completed those who were joining groups.

It was there that we found Jianchu Yin, a Chinese national. With three children, 15, 10 and 2 years, Yin is waiting for documents to legalize their residence in Portugal for more than six years. That was what he explained in a limited Portuguese, who was trying to circumvent pointing to a poster carrying the neck with a photograph of three children and the woman.

"They want more and more papers, more papers and always say they just need a little bit more," counted. He told us then to talk to the middle child, who was sitting on the wall while the group was still to join. But also the middle child could not explain what is missing. Moreover, does not understand why it is still seen as "illegal", despite having so many years in Portugal how those he was in China, where he was born.

As he spoke, he shrugged and stared at the floor. Yin also asked him to explain to us that "to discounts for social security", while showing us their Social Security number. Every month, he insisted, deducts part of their salary. From https://www.publico.pt/sociedade/noticia/imigrantes-gritaram-em-lisboa-contra-nova-regra-do-sistema-de-imigracao-1737161