“If this is a happy day for you, it is also for us. We want them to study here, to grow up here, to live here and to feel, regardless of nationality, an integral part of our community». That is how Isabel Oneto, Assistant Secretary of State and Internal Administration, addressed seven young immigrants, students in Portimão, who already have residence permits in Portugal.
Arthur Lago, Bernardo Lima, Júlia Lima, Carlos Gomes (all Brazilians) and the brothers Andreia, Christian and Sabrina Cretu, from Moldova, lived this Wednesday, May 29, a different afternoon at the Salão Nobre of Paços do Concelho of Portimão.
All are young immigrants, born far from Portugal, but, since yesterday, they are also recognized citizens of our country. They become "part of the Portimão family", as Isilda Gomes, president of the Portimão Chamber, said.
“The community has already received you, but today is an important day because we have formalized the bond you already have. We want to continue valuing every human being who lives among us», said, in turn, the Deputy Secretary of State and Internal Administration.
In her speech, Isabel Oneto even addressed, on several occasions, immigrant youth and children, students from the Bemposta and Júdice Fialho School Groups, who occupied the front seats.
"We have to be with open arms for these people, with an equal look for everyone", he defended.
The attribution of these residence permits took place within the scope of the “SEF goes to school” project, which is part of the Local Security Contracts, a Government initiative that aims, for example, to reduce criminal activities and behavior considered antisocial .
It is nothing, however, that Carlos Gomes, for over a year in Portugal, feels. "I have been very well received by the teachers, who help me, and by my colleagues," he told the Sul Informação.
Accompanied by his mother, the young Brazilian, attending the 6th grade, has no doubts: «this was an important day». Why? "I feel more equality after receiving this title," he added.
For Isilda Gomes, Portimão is “without a doubt, a multicultural city”.
"We receive many immigrants and it is important that they feel that they are also part of our society", he considered, in statements to Sul Informação.
“I'm sure that, probably, some of them still don't know the importance of the card they received today, but it is decisive in the way they will live from here to the future. They become our fellow citizens and this is extremely important,” he added.
For the mayor, Portimão “needs these immigrants”. «Besides the children, there are the parents, the family. Everyone needs to feel that they are part of this society. Democracy requires us to be able to make this integration," he said.
Still, it is certain that this coexistence is not always easy. For example, not far from the Algarve, in the parish of São Teotónio, in the municipality of Odemira, problems between locals and immigrants are beginning to arise.
But, in Portimão, everything "is peaceful".
“We have been working closely with these citizens and we have no problem spots. Nothing. There are even associations that have also dedicated themselves to this work. The inclusion has been easy. That's why we received so many!», guaranteed Isilda Gomes.
The Cretu family serves as an example: there are five people who emigrated from Moldova about a year ago to live in Portimão. André and Diana are the parents. Andreia, Christian and Sabrina, the children, who received residence permits.
In the end, the mother was the mirror of the five's happiness. “It's one more step. Portugal is much better for them», he told the Sul Informação, with one of the children in her arms.
The delivery of these seven residence permits was (only) the first step in a process that will continue. Because Portimão has, according to a report by the Directorate-General for Schools, 111 foreign students without their situation regularized.
«Very soon», guaranteed Isilda Gomes, «another 18 residence permits will be handed out», but the objective is, indeed, to reach everyone: to 111.
“This was a sign we wanted to give. The first ones are delivered, but we want more. We have to be aware that we need these people. May we be able to give them the best we have so that they feel that this country is also theirs,” he concluded.
Photos: Pedro Lemos | Sul Informação
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