Friday, August 23, 2024 Brazil tightens entry rules for visa-free travelers as migrant numbers rise, with many using the country as a transit point to North America. Brazil is set to enforce stricter entry regulations for visa-exempt travelers beginning next week, according to a government announcement on Wednesday. This decision comes as more migrants use Brazil as a transit point en route to the United States and Canada.
Starting Monday, travelers entering Brazil without a visa and planning to travel onwards must proceed to their final destination or return to their country of origin, the public security ministry informed Reuters in a statement. Brazil has experienced a surge in foreign travelers, especially from Asia, who arrive under the pretense of a layover but then seek asylum, the ministry reported. These travelers will no longer be permitted to stay in Brazil without a visa.
Investigations, as noted in two authority reports and confirmed by a senior police official, reveal that these migrants are claiming asylum in Brazil due to alleged persecution and threats in their home countries, according to information obtained by Reuters. After receiving asylum in Brazil, many individuals continue their journey northward by land, predominantly aiming for the United States or Canada. Their route often involves traversing the perilous Darien Gap, a treacherous stretch of land connecting Colombia and Panama, according to police investigations cited by the ministry.
During this period, over 70% of the asylum applicants came from India, Vietnam, and Nepal, deviating from historical patterns, national Justice Secretary Jean Uema disclosed to Reuters based on the reports. Additionally, nearly 17% of those who filed for refuge exited Brazil within 30 days, with the majority departing through the state of Acre on the border with Peru, as one report indicated..
