By Ricardo Brito
In a move to curb the increasing trend of migrants using Brazil as a stop-over on their way to the United States and Canada, the Brazilian government announced on Wednesday that it will tighten up rules for entering the country without a visa, starting next week.
Effective Monday, foreign travellers without a Brazilian visa, who are en route to another country, must either continue to their final destination or return to their home country, as per Brazil's public security ministry.
The surge in foreign travellers, especially from Asia, using Brazil as a layover and then applying for refuge has prompted this decision. Those without a visa will no longer be allowed to stay in Brazil.
Investigations have revealed that many migrants claim persecution and threats in their home countries to seek refuge in Brazil. Once granted asylum, they often journey north towards the United States or Canada through the perilous Darien Gap, connecting Colombia and Panama.
According to reports, out of over 8,300 refuge requests at Brazil's busiest international airport from the beginning of 2023 to June this year, only 117 remain active in the national migration system. This means that 99.59% of applicants either left the country or stayed irregularly.
More than 70% of applicants during this period were from India, Vietnam, and Nepal, a significant departure from historical trends, as noted by national Justice Secretary Jean Uema.
Analysis of refuge requests showed that nearly 17% of applicants left the country within 30 days, with the majority passing through the state of Acre on the border with Peru.
Overall, this tightening of visa rules in Brazil is aimed at addressing the misuse of the country as a transit point for migrants seeking refuge in other countries. It highlights the challenges of global immigration and the impact it can have on national security and international travel.