“The evidence cannot be denied and there is a reality here. There is a route and we are a destination,” union president Acácio Pereira told the Lusa news agency, after another 21 migrants from Morocco arrived in the Algarve on 21 July.

In total, 69 migrants have already illegally landed and been intercepted on the Algarve coast since December last year.

The president of the Union for the Investigation and Inspection Career of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SCIF-SEF) stressed that at the moment this is a route from Morocco, but could become a route from North Africa.

Acácio Pereira explained that Portugal works “as a gateway” for immigration to Europe and that only a small number of migrants remain in the country, with the objective of being able to enter Europe through Portugal and then look for other destinations.

He confirmed that these are cases of migrants who arrived in Portugal in recent months and, while waiting for the conclusion of their process, fled the country.

The president of the union representing SEF inspectors considered that “it is lack of political clarity not to admit” that there is an illegal immigration route to the Algarve.

"Things must be assumed and dealt with properly, this is the only way to resolve them," he said, stressing that, "while Spain already has readmission and return agreements with Morocco", Portugal is still in negotiations for a settlement agreement for illegal immigration with the country.

"These are two close countries and these issues should have been resolved a long time ago," he said.

Acácio Pereira also said that the Integrated Surveillance and Command and Control System (SIVIC) “never worked” and “never managed” to detect the five vessels that reached the Algarve coast.

“In all situations, none of them were detected by the radars. This is a shame, this shames the country, this shows the vulnerability of the coast”, he maintained.

The president of SCIF-SEF also noted that the Foreigners and Borders Service has been able to give “an immediate response”, but considered that Portugal is not prepared for these situations, since the most important element is the temporary housing of migrants while waiting for the completion of the process.

"Portugal does not have a single temporary housing centre, except for the Santo António housing unit in Porto, where these people can wait," he said.

According to Acácio Pereira, these migrants are accommodated in SEF centres at Faro and Porto airports, but these places are intended for illegal passengers on flights arriving in Portugal who stay for periods of up to 48 hours and not for detentions, which can reach 60 days.

The union president said that the airport centres have “small” facilities, in addition to not having the conditions of security or dignity for these long-term stays.

A group of 21 migrants, apparently Moroccan, according to the authorities, was intercepted on the beach of Ilha do Farol, Faro municipality, on 21 July, having spent the night in a pavilion in Olhão, where they are under the guard of SEF and GNR.

This is the fourth case recorded this year, the third since the beginning of June, involving migrants allegedly of Moroccan origin who landed in the Algarve.