Restoration of SSI benefits to legal Portuguese immigrants

PALCUS joined 13 other national ethnic organizations to overturn legislation that would have eliminated these benefits to anyone who was not yet a citizen on October 1, 1997. The law was modified and all Portuguese residents in the country as of October 1, 1997 qualify for continued SSI benefits. This represents a significant impact on every legal Portuguese resident aged 62 or older.

 

Visa Waiver Legislation

PALCUS played a key role in educating legislators on the merits of modifying legislation to permit entry of Portugal into the Visa Waiver Program. This had a direct impact on every Portuguese-American in the United States, as Portuguese citizens may now visit the US for periods of up to 90 days, possessing only their passport and return ticket, effective August 1, 1999.

 

Following the events of 9/11, Portugal was in danger of revocation of  its Visa Waiver Status, and again, PALCUS worked with our representatives in the Portuguese-American Caucus and the Friends of Portugal to ensure that Portugal remained in the program.

 

Dual Taxation Protocol

PALCUS was instrumental in bringing about the signing of the convention between the governments of the Republic of Portugal and the United States for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal invasion with respect to taxes on income.