Federal Government welcomes 127 repatriated citizens from the United States

Following President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s directives, the Federal Government launched a large-scale humanitarian operation to welcome the arrival of 127 repatriated Brazilians from the United States this Saturday, March 15, in Fortaleza. The group consists of 97 men and 30 women, including nine children, one teenager, and one elderly person.

From the capital of Ceará, where they received proper and dignified assistance, 76 people traveled to Belo Horizonte on a Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira/FAB) aircraft. In the capital of Minas Gerais, they found the same support structure set up in Ceará. The remaining 51 repatriated individuals stayed in Fortaleza—38 left the airport on their own, while the rest were assisted by the federal team. Two repatriates were referred to the judiciary. 

For Viviane Freitas, a São Paulo resident who was detained while crossing the Mexico-Arizona border (USA), the reception organized by the Federal Government was a relief after all the hardships she endured before returning to Brazil.

“The Brazilians are a totally welcoming people. We used to say this even there, at the center we were at, because we had contact with people from various countries. And we always said that the Brazilian people are incredibly welcoming. And here, it was no different. You were welcoming. You accepted us here with open arms. You are providing full support to us, to everyone, without specifying race, color, or anything,” she expressed her gratitude.

A similar opinion was shared by Christie Anne de Andrade, from Mato Grosso. “I liked it a lot, honestly. I never expected what they did here. It was a pleasant surprise. There were bathrooms, medication for those who needed it, food, everything. And even for those returning to our state, for those who have problems or are out of money due to everything that happened, they are providing the necessary conditions. I thought it was wonderful,” said Christie.

In the capital of Minas Gerais, the group was welcomed by a team in the authorities’ lounge of Belo Horizonte International Airport, which was exceptionally transformed into a Reception Center for the Repatriated.

DISTINCTIVE – José Maria Costa was one of the repatriates who landed in Belo Horizonte. After spending four months in the United States awaiting his return to Brazil, he says he felt relieved to return to his country. “Upon returning to Brazil, I felt safer. I would not advise anyone to go to the United States to go through the humiliation I experienced. I would not advise anyone, whether a father or mother, to face what I went through to go to the United States,” he blurted out.

“Our Brazil is a very rich country; it is not worth leaving it for the United States. The reception here was very calm, distinctive. Everyone welcomed us here at the first stop (in Fortaleza), and here, too, it was calm. It was great, and I am very thankful for this love. This type of reception is very important for a person to arrive, share the details of their journey, and receive treatment in Brazil, from a Human Rights approach,” he continued.

RECEPTION – The National Secretary for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights, Bruno Renato Teixeira, provided details on how the operation worked in Fortaleza and Belo Horizonte. “Our understanding as the Federal Government is that, once on national territory, the human rights and constitutional guarantees of Brazilians will be preserved,” he emphasized.

He explained that in Ceará, a team was made available to welcome the repatriates, in partnership with 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, Federal Government structures, and the support of the State Government of Ceará. “The agencies carry out this reception in a humane manner, conducting this screening, identifying the main demands they bring for the repatriation process here in Brazil. Upon arriving in Minas Gerais, the team is also structured to carry out this reception and ensure they return safely to their homes,” the secretary explained.

EXTENSIVE COORDINATION – The action, led by the Federal Government and organized by the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (Ministério dos Direitos Humanos e da Cidadania /MDHC), in partnership with the Ministries of Health (Ministério da Saúde /MS), Social Development and Assistance, Family, and Hunger Eradication (Ministério do Desenvolvimento e Assistência Social, Família e Combate à Fome /MDS), Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores /MRE), Justice and Public Security (Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública /MJSP), and Defense (Ministério da Defesa /MD), had the support of the Federal Police, state governments, and airport concessionaires Fraport Brasil and BH Airport. The focus was on ensuring an adequate and humane reception for the citizens returning to Brazil.

FORTALEZA – In the capital of Ceará, all reception work was carried out at an Advanced Service Post set up at Fortaleza International Airport. The service featured adequate facilities, including access to water, food, power outlets, internet, and restrooms, as well as a multidisciplinary team composed of social workers and psychologists. Additionally, the service provided support for matters related to documentation and migration regularization.

BELO HORIZONTE – In the capital of Minas Gerais, the group was welcomed in the authorities’ lounge of Belo Horizonte International Airport, which was exceptionally transformed into a Reception Center for the Repatriated. The structure also included access to water, food, power outlets, internet, and restrooms. At the location, channels were provided for the Brazilians who landed to contact their families and receive guidance on public services related to health, social assistance, and employment, such as vaccination regularization and enrollment in the education system.

OTHER FLIGHTS — On February 21, the Federal Government welcomed a flight with 94 Brazilians repatriated from the United States who landed in Fortaleza before continuing to Belo Horizonte. Prior to that, on February 7, the federal support team had already welcomed 111 Brazilians repatriated from the United States who also arrived in Brazil via the capital of Ceará and then continued to the capital of Minas Gerais. In January, public officials accompanied the arrival of a flight with repatriates, which landed in Manaus (AM) on the 24th, and the following day, a KC-30 aircraft from the Brazilian Air Force (Força Aérea Brasileira /FAB) with 88 repatriated Brazilians landed at Confins International Airport in Belo Horizonte, following President Lula’s directive to ensure the country’s security protocols.