500 Haitian migrants entered Brazil in three days

At least 500 illegal Haitian immigrants entered Brasileia(Brazil), on the border with Bolivia, in the last three days of 2011. These are in addition to the 700 Haitians who are already living in makeshift accommodation in this Amazonian population of 20,000.The rumors that Brazil may restrict the entry of Haitians across the border of the Amazon this year, alarmed Haitians. In the last two years, hundreds of Haitians who entered illegally to Brazil in search of better living conditions after the 2010 earthquake were granted a “humanitarian” visa because it can not be considered political refugees or asylees.

The governor of Acre, a state in the western border with Bolivia, Brazil, reported that food and water sent to assist immigrants who settled in the streets of Brasileia, since this small city has no position to give assistance. “The situation is complicated because the state had built a shelter for immigrants who apparently became too small for the 700 Haitians already in Brasileia.”

Assistant Secretary of Justice and Human Rights of Acre, José Henrique Moura Corinth, traveled to Brasileia on Monday to coordinate aid to the many undocumented immigrants.
Although the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE), Ministry of Justice of Brazil admitted in December that they are examining measures to combat trafficking of immigrants at the border of the Amazon and have not announced any decision.

Acre’s government estimates that at least 2,300 Haitians entered the state last year.
Besides the humanitarian visa, immigrants obtain documents allowing them to work in Brazil and some are sent to larger cities such as Porto Velho and Manaus, where there are more jobs.

(MS)