New law: prepare your lawyers
First day of the new law being in place and I already have a rant/story to share.
My son was born early in May and still at the hospital we started the registering process online, because taking a days-old baby to crowded IRN was not an option.
(Some people say it’s not needed, but my wife tried and they asked for me and the baby to be there. Don’t blame me on this country’s lack of standards)
Last friday, I thought it was taking too long to issue the baby’s document. Which country takes weeks to register a kid, right?
I called IRN and was told they were still reviewing registrations from March and it would take long. “It’s too soon to call us” they told me.
That alone is already maddening, but the important part is: yesterday, first day of the new foreigners law, we were emailed and called by the IRN saying the baby was not going to be portuguese!
When I said that ongoing processes should be under the previous text (that’s on Diário da República, art 7!!) they said they have orders to use the law of the day they are reviewing, no matter if it’s an ongoing process already.
Then proceeded to complain they have too much work l, I shouldn’t interfere, and hung up on me! I didn’t even tried to argue, just calmly stated that the law said otherwise.
They finished the process on their side and that’s it. Just did what they were up to and f* the legality, common sense, and last hope of a working public institution.
Now I need a lawyer and will go in person try to fight this madness.
So, as a piece of advice, get ready for this type of situations. Don’t take any word for granted, even if written in the law.