Authorities want to restrict Haitian illegal immigration through Acre
From December 2010 to June 2015, about 36,000 Haitians have crossed the state of Acre to get in the country.
From July 8, the number of Brazilian visas monthly issued for Haitians has risen from 600 to about 1,700, making Brazil's consulate in Port au Prince – capital of Haiti – the second largest visa issuer in the world.
The general undersecretary for Brazilian Communications abroad, the Ambassador Carlos Alberto Simas Magalhães, has attended today (August 3) a public hearing on Human Rights Commission (CHR) at the Senate to discuss the situation of Haitian. He mentioned that Acre is the main entrance door for these immigrants to Brazil.
Senator Jorge Viana
According to him, from December 2010 to June 2015, about 36,000 Haitians have crossed the state of Acre to get in the country. During the period, more than 26,000 visas have been granted to Haitians. Magalhães added that the main concern of the Foreign Ministry is to prevent Haitians from falling into the hands of traffickers and coyotes. Therefore the government is trying to speed up the visa issuing with Brazil's representatives in Port au Prince.
During the hearing, the senator Jorge Viana, former governor of Acre, argued that Brazil must take action as quickly as possible. “The Minister [of Justice] José Eduardo Cardoso is personally visiting countries in order to find a way to shut this entry, (...) and not allow these people's exploitation.”
Viana explained that Brazil's policy of showing the human and respectful side of the country, by providing visa facilitation, food, shelter and access to health, “has become a business” for traffickers trying to attract Haitians seeking asylum in Brazil. They promise that, two days after their arrival, they will have the documents and will be able to choose the place in the country where they want to go. “They even give the bus fare.” said the senator.
In his view, to make the immigrants exploitation even worse by not welcoming them and throwing them in the suburbs and squares of many cities in Brazil is not a solution.
Acre has invested resources for accommodating these Haitians. According to Nilson Mourao – Acre's Justice and Human Rights Secretary, $ 6.97 million was invested until June 2015. Of this amount, $ 3.48 million comes from the government of Acre and $3.19 million from the federal government.
The main challenges are to ensure financial resources for shelter maintenance, to keep a permanent specialized team for welcoming and improve communication and integration, because of language and cultural difficulties.
Translated by Amarílis Anchieta
Fonte: Authorities want to restrict Haitian illegal immigration through Acre
