Navigating a New Life: How CLAIM Supports Migrant Integration

Imagine a young family, driven by dreams of a better life, embark upon a long, arduous journey to Portugal. Upon arrival, they face a chilling reality: as irregular migrants, they lack the necessary paperwork to secure habitable housing, access health services, find employment, and are at risk of exploitation. Their irregular status means they cannot access government resources and support systems.
This is where Centros Locais de Apoio à Integração de Migrantes (CLAIM) steps in, offering a lifeline. To gain a deeper understanding of CLAIM’s impact, representatives from the OICV met with Vereadora Conceição Henriques and Rute Morganho, Integration Agent with CLAIM. Their insights shed light on the vital role CLAIM plays in our community.
What is CLAIM?
The CLAIM program was started in the early 2000s to support migrants coming to Portugal from outside the European Union. Since its inception, CLAIM has grown significantly, now operating in 156 towns, each city financially backing the operations.
The Caldas da Rainha (CDR) office opened in 2021, providing a dignified setting for assisting clientele. The office is staffed by two full-time Agents. Their work is critical, as they typically help 30-40 people in person each week, with many more reaching out via phone and email.
Migrants face numerous obstacles as they settle into their new lives in Portugal:
Health: Accessing healthcare can be complicated, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the system or lack the necessary documentation.
Housing: Securing stable, affordable housing is a significant hurdle. Many migrants end up in overcrowded and substandard conditions.
Education: Ensuring that their children receive a quality education is a priority for migrant families. Language barriers and bureaucratic hurdles shouldn’t bar access to schools and educational resources.
Employment: Finding stable employment is essential for economic security, yet many migrants face difficulties due to language barriers, lack of recognition of foreign qualifications, and legal restrictions.
Language: Mastering Portuguese is key to successful integration, but it can be a daunting task if it is not your primary language.
For irregular and undocumented migrants, these difficulties are even more pronounced.
CLAIM offers support to documented and undocumented migrants facing these challenges with the goal to have an open door for everybody and become a bridge for many services, including:
Legal Guidance: CLAIM helps migrants navigate the complex legal landscape.
Connections to Social Services: CLAIM connects migrants with supportive social services, helping them access food, education, housing, healthcare, language classes, and employment opportunities.
Support for Irregular Migrants: For those without documentation, CLAIM offers a lifeline, addressing social and legal problems and providing resources to help them find stability and security.
Operational Challenges Faced by CLAIM
While CLAIM provides indispensable support to migrants, the organization itself faces significant operational challenges that hinder its ability to effectively serve the community.
Elimination of the Manifestação de Interesse pathway for foreigners to register has made it challenging to get reliable data on the populations CLAIM is meant to serve. This hampers their ability to direct resources and services effectively. An alternative declaration mechanism from AIMA is anticipated, but until it is in place, migrants face increased uncertainty.
AIMA recently proposed a decentralized approach to processing applications, shifting intake responsibilities for residency permits from the centralized government to local CLAIM offices. Decentralizing the system is expected to increase efficiency and allow resources to be allocated where they are most needed. Officials are hopeful this proposal will be passed.
CLAIM recognizes the importance of building stronger connections within marginalized communities of irregular migrants. Cultural mediators, who come from within the communities themselves, can provide translation and interpretation services, offer insights into specific needs, and help build trust and relationships.
Embracing Humanity
The Caldas da Rainha council remains steadfast in their commitment to the humane and professional treatment of migrants. As succinctly put by Vereadora Henriques, “Countries are made up of people. Countries are beautiful because of people.”
CLAIM is open on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm, or by appointment from 2pm to 4pm. Their email is claim@mcr.pt, phone 262 240 015 and 916 877 699.
By embracing the values of inclusion and humanity, the Caldas council and CLAIM are not only supporting migrants but also enriching the entire community. ■ Charity Kuahiwinui & Flavia Lamattina, illustration Charity Kuahiwinui