Immigration detention in Portugal

Portugal implements many strict immigration control measures despite facing comparatively minor migratory pressures. It detains asylum seekers lodging applications at ports of entry; the number of non-EU citizens ordered to leave the country has steadily increased; and it allows the detention of families with children in facilities that the country’s ombudsman considers deficient for this purpose. On the other hand, in contrast to most of its EU neighbours, Portugal has responded to the refugee “crisis” in Europe by offering to accept more than its quota of refugees.