My experience during my visit to AIMA on 8 July was deeply disappointing and distressing. As a researcher working on gender-based violence and as a teacher, my time in Portugal is extremely valuable, especially because I had limited availability for my fieldwork in India. However, due to the delays and inefficiency of AIMA, my visit was unnecessarily prolonged, causing further stress and uncertainty.

Mais diversidade, melhor humanidade

During my interaction at the centre, I experienced what I perceived as a xenophobic attitude. What was particularly troubling was that this response came from a person of colour themselves. Instead of receiving support and understanding, I felt mocked for not being able to communicate fluently in Portuguese. The experience was especially painful considering that inside the AIMA premises there is a prominent quote: “Mais diversidade, melhor humanidade” (“More diversity, better humanity”). This message represents the values that a diverse society should embrace: respect, inclusion, and humanity. However, my personal experience made me question whether these values are truly reflected in the treatment of immigrants.

Portugal is historically a nation shaped by migration. Many Portuguese families have members who have emigrated abroad, and therefore the importance of migration should be deeply understood. However, the current treatment of immigrants by AIMA often creates unnecessary anxiety, insecurity, and emotional distress.

I applied for my residence permit renewal in February 2026. My application was approved in April 2026, yet by July 2026, I still had not received my physical residence card. According to the legal framework, residence procedures should be completed within 90 working days. However, every time I contacted AIMA through their helpline, I received inconsistent information. Although the automated system states that English assistance is available by pressing one, the responses I received varied each time, increasing my uncertainty rather than resolving it.

During my visit on 8 July, I finally spoke with an AIMA staff member who treated me with kindness and professionalism. He told me that his family had taught him humility and that education had made him understand the importance of treating people respectfully. His attitude showed that humane treatment is possible and should be the standard for every public service.

However, on the same day, I was informed that my residence card could not be processed because my biometric information was missing. This raised a serious question: if my biometric details were incomplete, why was my renewal application marked as approved on the online portal? If I had not personally visited the centre, how long would I have continued waiting without knowing the actual issue?

After this visit, I was informed that I would receive my residence card within three weeks. Unfortunately, this information was inaccurate. Despite continued waiting and repeated calls, I continued receiving contradictory updates. Therefore, I visited AIMA again on 30 July, where I was informed that my card was already in the printing stage and that there was nothing more they could do except ask me to wait.

The question remains: why should an immigrant have to experience such prolonged uncertainty for a legal document that determines their ability to study, work, travel, and participate fully in society? Does an immigrant’s time, career, and academic contribution have no value?

As a researcher, I lost valuable time that was essential for my doctoral fieldwork in Delhi, India. The delay not only affected administrative procedures; it directly impacted my academic work, professional responsibilities, and personal well-being.

Immigration systems should not create additional vulnerability for the very people they are designed to serve. A country that promotes diversity must ensure that diversity is accompanied by dignity, respect, transparency, and humane treatment.