When Mosan Hassan arrived in Portugal a year ago from Pakistan, he believed he had found a fresh start. Over the past 12 months, he filed for legal residency, secured agricultural work and paid his taxes. Yet Hassan remains undocumented and lives in constant fear.
Living in Limbo
Hassan's residency application has been pending far beyond the official 90-day deadline. He is one of nearly half a million immigrants now stuck in legal limbo in Portugal. Without legal status, everyday life – from seeking stable housing to accessing basic services – has become an uphill battle.
Facing Hostile Sentiment
“We are also humans. We follow the rules, pay our taxes and tickets. But people hit us with hate. I never expected this much hate,” Hassan explains. Fear and uncertainty grow as social tensions rise, pushing many migrants to consider other destinations.
A Political Shakeup
This week, Portugal's center-right coalition government retook office after a collapse of its first administration. As the new leadership settles in, thousands of migrants like Hassan await policy clarity and hope for progress on backlogged cases.
For global citizens watching from afar, this story underscores the challenges of migration policy and the real human impact when systems stall. In the coming months, Portugal's approach to residency processing will test its commitment to inclusion and the rule of law.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
