Monday, August 26, 2024 At least 666 Asian migrants, including individuals from India, Nepal, and Vietnam, are trapped in dire conditions at São Paulo International Airport in Brazil, according to Reuters. These migrants, who arrived without visas, are confined to a restricted area of the airport, where they face harsh conditions as they await entry into the country. Reports indicate that many of these individuals, including children, are forced to sleep on the floor and lack access to basic necessities like food, water, and blankets.
A spokesperson from the Public Defender’s Office revealed that the migrants’ health is rapidly deteriorating, with a Ghanaian migrant having died two weeks ago. It remains unclear whether the death occurred at the airport or en route to a hospital. The Public Defender’s Office has urged Brazilian authorities to uphold humanitarian principles and offer refuge to these migrants rather than send them back.
In a related development, Brazil plans to impose new restrictions on the entry of some Asian migrants starting Monday, as reported by The Associated Press. The new policy will require visas for those seeking refuge, particularly impacting migrants who use São Paulo’s airport as a layover on their journey to North America. Many of these migrants remain in Brazil, hoping to secure asylum, rather than continuing their travel to the US or Canada.
Jean Uema, head of Brazil’s refugee committee, stated that the new rules will specifically .