Thursday, August 22, 2024 Brazil is set to implement significant restrictions on the entry of certain Asian migrants, a move aimed at curbing the use of the country as a launching point for those seeking to reach the United States and Canada. The decision, which takes effect next week, reflects growing concerns within the Brazilian government and federal police over the increasing number of migrants from Asia arriving in Brazil, often with the intention of continuing their journey to North America. Starting Monday, Brazil will impose entry restrictions on migrants from specific Asian countries who require visas to stay in the country.
These restrictions will not apply to individuals from countries that are currently exempt from visa requirements for Brazil, such as U.S. citizens and many European nationals.
The move is a direct response to a pattern observed by Brazilian authorities, where migrants purchase flights with layovers at São Paulo’s international airport but instead of continuing to their intended destinations, they stay in Brazil and eventually begin their journey northward. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Justice, the new guidelines will require travelers without visas to either continue their journey by plane or return to their country of origin. The decision was made following a federal police investigation that revealed a significant increase in the number of migrants using Brazil as a gateway to the United States and Canada.
The investigation highl.