Portuguese authorities have opened an investigation to investigate the performance of at least 22 Brazilian digital influencers for conduct ranging from aiding illegal immigration to applying scams to people interested in living in the European country. The inquiry was revealed by the newspaper Expresso.
Responsible for immigration in Portugal, the SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) says it investigates “cases of aid to illegal immigration and association to aid illegal immigration”, in which the suspects work mainly on the internet. The agency does not publicly disclose the nationality and profession of those investigated.
With the increase in interest in Portugal –the Brazilian community has increased by more than 150% in six years–, immigration profiles are also multiplying on Instagram, YouTube and, more recently, on TikTok. Those who research how to live in the country are faced with tricks to circumvent immigration agents and enter as a tourist, although the objective is to remain irregularly to work.
Although this has traditionally been the most popular path for most Brazilian immigrants, who later seek regularization, the process is slow and bureaucratic. With the increase of the foreign population in the country, the elections have taken more than two years to be concluded.
In the period in which they remain without adequate documentation, foreigners are even more socially and economically vulnerable. In recent years, the SEF has dismantled several gangs specialized in exploiting the work of migrants. Many Brazilian influencers have also dedicated themselves to the lucrative niche of “migratory advice”. Although there are many qualified professionals, the segment is full of people who work without proper training or authorization.
Support groups for Brazilians on social networks contain several reports of people deceived by scammers when it comes to renting apartments or making appointments with the immigration services.
Entities that work with the aid to the Brazilian community in Portugal draw attention to the dissemination of outdated information on the cost of living in Portuguese cities, especially regarding housing and food expenses, whose values are on a sharp upward trajectory.
To try to combat misinformation, Casa do Brasil de Lisboa, an NGO that helps Brazilians in Portugal, created a series of virtual sessions with experts. The webinars are free and cover topics such as labor legislation, access to public health and practical questions about documentation.
Last week, the Parliament of Portugal approved the creation of new work visas that facilitate the immigration of Brazilian citizens. According to experts, the trend is for the movement to arouse even more interest in the European country. The main change is the creation of a special permit for those seeking employment in Portuguese territory. Another novelty is the permission aimed at digital nomads and professionals who work remotely to other countries.
The text still needs to be ratified by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa before it goes into effect, but it has already caused a stir in profiles dedicated to immigration. According to the most updated information from the SEF, referring to 2021, there are 204,694 Brazilians legally residing in Portugal. The real number, however, is much higher, since these data do not include who has dual citizenship of Portugal or another European Union country. Nor do those in an irregular migratory situation count.
