Brazil will introduce new entry restrictions for certain Asian nationals starting August 26, aimed at curbing the use of the country as a transit point for migrants heading to the United States and Canada. The restrictions will affect those who require visas to stay in Brazil but will not apply to citizens of countries currently exempt from Brazilian visas.
The justice ministry announced that the new policy targets migrants who enter Brazil on flights with layovers in São Paulo but remain in the country instead of continuing their journey. More than 70% of recent requests for refuge at São Paulo’s international airport have come from nationals of India, Nepal, and Vietnam.
Federal Police investigations have revealed that many of these migrants use Brazil as a starting point for a dangerous journey through the Amazon, eventually reaching the U.S. southern border. Authorities are concerned about the increasing number of migrants from countries like Bangladesh and Indonesia, often arriving without proper documentation or with fake papers.
The surge in migrants seeking refuge has overwhelmed Brazil’s immigration system, with over 9,000 requests for refuge filed in the first half of 2024 alone, more than double the total for the entire previous year. The influx has strained resources, prompting federal prosecutors to call for quicker processing of these requests to prevent further disruptions at São Paulo’s airport.
Brazil’s move to tighten entry regulations comes in response to concerns raised by local authorities and U.S. diplomats about the growing number of undocumented migrants and human trafficking networks operating in the region. Despite Brazil’s traditionally welcoming stance toward refugees, the government has become increasingly frustrated with the exploitation of the country’s asylum system by migrants using it as a stepping stone to reach North America.