Marlene, from São Tomé and Príncipe, has lived in Amadora since 2023 with her husband and two young daughters. One daughter was born in Portugal 19 months ago.

Marlene submitted all documentation for her residency renewal, including lease, rent receipts, and employment contract. Still, authorities ordered her to leave in January, claiming she lacked proof of accommodation.

The agency contradicted itself: Marlene received an expulsion order, yet her 8-year-old daughter’s residency permit was renewed. Both live in the same home, but only Marlene’s accommodation was questioned.

AIMA told SIC the error was due to a data cross-referencing mistake.

Marlene’s online request and mailed documents were not fully reviewed, resulting in a rejection due to "incomplete analyses."

This episode occurred just one week after a similar case involving a 9-year-old Brazilian child, resident in the Algarve, who faced an expulsion order affecting the child, despite their parents working and living legally in Portugal.

In both cases, AIMA reversed the expulsion orders affecting Marlene and the 9-year-old Brazilian child a few hours after being confronted with requests for clarification, acknowledging the "error" and reassessing the processes.

AIMA defends its procedures, stating that departure notices are not coercive in and of themselves. The agency encourages those affected by errors to contest decisions for correction.