BTN News: Brazil is set to implement new restrictions on the entry of certain Asian migrants seeking refuge as a way to migrate toward the United States and Canada, a move announced by the Ministry of Justice on Wednesday. The new measures, which will take effect starting Monday, target Asian migrants who require visas to stay in Brazil. This decision comes in response to an investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police, revealing a trend where migrants, often from countries like India, Nepal, and Vietnam, purchase flights with stopovers in São Paulo’s international airport. However, instead of continuing their journey, these individuals remain in Brazil and subsequently attempt to make their way northward toward the U.S. through perilous routes across South and Central America.
This new policy marks a significant shift in Brazil’s stance towards refugees and migrants, especially as the country has historically been more welcoming, particularly to those fleeing war-torn nations such as Afghanistan. The decision reflects growing concerns within the Brazilian government about the increasing use of the country as a transit point for migrants attempting to reach the U.S. and Canada. With the current strain on Brazil’s immigration system, exacerbated by the rising number of refugees from countries like Haiti, Syria, and Ukraine, this change in policy aims to address the influx of migrants that the system can no longer efficiently manage.
According to official reports, more than 70% of asylum requests at São Paulo’s airport come from Indian, Nepalese, and Vietnamese nationals. The Ministry of Justice has stipulated that travelers without the necessary visas must either continue their journey by air or return to their country of origin. This measure underscores Brazil’s efforts to manage its borders more strictly while addressing the challenges posed by the high volume of migrant arrivals.
The Federal Police report, which served as a basis for this policy change, highlighted the intense migration activity at São Paulo’s Guarulhos International Airport, the second-most populous city in the state. The report suggests that a significant number of these migrants are embarking on a risky journey from São Paulo to the western state of Acre. From there, they enter Peru and eventually aim to reach the United States through its southern border. This hazardous route across the Amazon and into Central America has become a dangerous yet common path for many migrants desperate to reach the U.S.
An earlier investigation by the Associated Press uncovered that migrants from countries like Vietnam and India were traversing the Amazon rainforest, with some eventually returning to Acre as they awaited new developments in U.S. border policies. This report further supports the decision to tighten entry restrictions at Brazil’s borders to prevent the country from becoming a default gateway for migrants aiming to reach North America.
The Brazilian Ministry of Justice also noted that the new guidelines would not apply to the 484 migrants currently staying at São Paulo’s international airport. Earlier on Wednesday, the Federal Public Ministry expressed concerns over the high number of foreign nationals arriving on LATAM Airlines flights and the strain this influx is placing on Brazil’s immigration system. The Ministry emphasized the need for airlines to provide essential supplies to migrants awaiting their refugee status decisions.
The Brazilian government’s move to impose stricter border controls reflects its struggle to balance humanitarian efforts with the practical limitations of its immigration system. The influx of migrants has led to a backlog in processing refugee claims, raising fears that the continued arrival of foreigners could disrupt operations at São Paulo’s main international airport.
One report noted that by July 15 of this year, Brazil’s Federal Police had received 9,082 refugee applications, more than double the total for 2023 and the highest figure in a decade. This surge in asylum requests is straining an already overburdened system, prompting the government to reconsider its open-door policy.
Despite Brazil’s history of welcoming refugees, the recent surge in applications has led to growing frustration within the government, particularly as the country faces an unprecedented number of migrants from various regions, including those displaced by conflicts in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Between September 2021 and April 2024, Brazil granted 11,248 humanitarian visas to Afghan nationals alone, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian causes, even as it tightens its immigration policies.
In January 2023, shortly after taking office, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva reinstated the country’s participation in the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, an international agreement aimed at managing migration flows. While the government has maintained its humanitarian visa program, it has also introduced more stringent guidelines for granting these visas. This balancing act underscores Brazil’s attempt to address both its humanitarian obligations and the practical challenges of managing an increasingly complex and overwhelming immigration system.
As Brazil navigates these challenges, the new restrictions on Asian migrants mark a pivotal moment in the country’s immigration policy, reflecting a shift towards stricter border management in response to the growing pressure on its immigration system.
