Portugal dissolved its Border and Foreigners Service (SEF) on Sunday, transferring all matters related to foreign documents to the new Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA). According to an official statement, AIMA "plans to set up a mega-operation to resolve pending cases," with "enhanced security associated with document issuance" and "establishment of a permanent audit team for internal procedures and combating and preventing fraud." The new model also aims to combat racism and integrate ethnic groups, the statement said. Portuguese Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ana Catarina Mendes said AIMA will represent a "new paradigm" in the reception and treatment of immigrants seeking Portugal. With a budget of 81 million euros ($85.86 million), the new agency has 740 employees and plans to hire 190 new staff. According to the government, about 347,000 immigration cases are pending and about 340,000 visa extensions must be decided by the end of the year. Statistics show that more than one million immigrants live in Portugal, accounting for about 10% of the Portuguese population.