The Federal Government welcomed 111 Brazilians repatriated from the United States this Friday afternoon, February 7, in Fortaleza (CE). The reception ensured humane assistance to the nationals returning to the country. The Brazilian Air Force provided a KC-30 aircraft for those traveling to Belo Horizonte (MG). The departure to Confins International Airport took place at 6:55 p.m., with landing around 9:20 p.m.

We are doing our part by offering a warm welcome. We are aiming for citizenship and empowerment so that these people can join the workforce more quickly and live their lives with dignity"

Macaé Evaristo, Brazil's Minister of Human Rights

The Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania /MDHC), Janine Mello, was in Fortaleza to welcome the repatriated individuals. "The Federal Government's priority – together with the state government, which also supported us throughout this action – is to ensure that the Brazilian nationals returning to Brazil today can reach their place of residence safely, reunite with their families, and rebuild their lives," she emphasized.

In Belo Horizonte, the reception team from the MDHC was coordinated by Minister Macaé Evaristo. "From the moment we became aware of the situation on the flight, we have been making a great mobilization to set up this reception post. These are repatriated Brazilians, and our country has a culture of welcoming people well. We are aiming for citizenship and empowerment so that these people can join the workforce more quickly and live their lives with dignity," said Minister Evaristo.

DIGNITY - Socorro França, Secretary of Human Rights of the state of Ceará, highlighted that the Federal Government’s worked in partnership with the state to optimize the arrival of the repatriated individuals. "Everything went well. It was not easy to receive them here, because they [the men] were restrained, with handcuffs, but when they got off the plane, they were free. They came emotionally hurt because, according to their accounts, they suffered a lot," she stated. The Federal Police boarded the plane to remove the handcuffs from the men. The children and women aboard the flight were not in handcuffs.

The KC-30 aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) brought the Brazilians from Fortaleza to Belo Horizonte. In the Minas Gerais capital, Minister Macaé Evaristo detailed the Federal Government's reception operation to the journalists. Images: Secom / PR

HEALTH — Amanda Dantas, who manages the coordination of the Ministry of Health's National Health Force, participated in the reception work in Fortaleza. "At the request of the President of the Republic, the National Health Force and the Surveillance teams went to Fortaleza to provide qualified humanitarian assistance, focusing on urgent and emergency care and initial psychological support. The goal is for those returning to Brazil to feel embraced by the Federal Government," she said.

HOME — "Today, I feel welcomed. I am at home. Brazil opens its doors to everyone. Many countries do not do that. Brazil is unmatched in receiving and welcoming people; it is different from all others. I am happy," stated Reinaldo Silva Santos, describing the emotion of returning to the country.

SUPPORT — Originally from Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, João Vitor highlighted the importance of the government's reception. "We received every form of support. There are doctors here, hygiene products. We spent days without access to hygiene products and without proper food. It is important to have a government that is here with us. We feel welcomed," he reported.

GRATITUDE — "The reception was amazing to me. I did not imagine such a welcome after going through the hardships I went through, living in a dirty place, having to take the clothes off my body to clean the floor of a cell," said Jonathan. Rafael had a similar impression: "I arrived and saw everyone clapping, I was not expecting that. After all the suffering we went through this week, arriving and receiving such a reception was surprising," he shared.

The children also received support from the Federal Government team: humane treatment.

PARTNERSHIP — The reception work for the repatriated individuals is a joint effort of the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores /MRE), the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública /MJSP), the Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde /MS), the Ministry of Social Development and Assistance, Family and Hunger Eradication (Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome /MDS), the Federal Police (PF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

POST — In the Minas Gerais capital, the MDHC established a Reception Post for Repatriated Individuals to ensure they have free access to the internet, mobile phone chargers, and channels to contact their families. They also receive guidance on public health, social assistance, and employment services.

WORKING GROUP — This week, the Federal Government began meetings of the working group regarding the flights of Brazilian nationals returning from the U.S.. On the Brazilian side, the WG includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, and the Federal Police. On the U.S. side, representatives from the U.S. Embassy in Brasília and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are involved.

PREVIOUS FLIGHT —The inbound flight on Friday, February 7, was the second repatriation flight from the U.S. overseen by the Federal Government. The first landed in Manaus on January 24, following pressurization issues. By order of President Lula, a KC-30 aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) transported the 88 repatriated Brazilians to Confins International Airport in Belo Horizonte the next day, ensuring they completed their journey with dignity and safety. The Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, was on site to welcome them. The Brazilians who had arrived in the Amazon capital handcuffed were immediately released by the Federal Police, under the guidance of the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Ricardo Lewandowski, ensuring respect for Brazilian sovereignty and compliance with national security protocols.