Brazil Tightens Entry Restrictions for Asian Migrants Heading North

Brazil will implement new restrictions on Asian migrants using the country as a transit point to the U.S. and Canada. The move, effective Monday, targets those requiring visas to stay in Brazil, amid increasing misuse of refugee status. The justice ministry and federal police flagged a spike in refugee requests at Sao Paulo's airport.

Brazil is set to enforce new restrictions on the entry of Asian migrants who use the country as a gateway to migrate to the United States and Canada, the justice ministry announced on Wednesday.

According to official documents, over 70% of refuge requests at Sao Paulo's international airport come from Indian, Nepalese, and Vietnamese nationals. Starting Monday, migrants from Asian countries requiring visas to remain in Brazil will face stricter entry regulations, although the new guidelines will not impact Asian countries currently exempt from visas to Brazil.

The justice ministry's decision follows a surge in the number of migrants staying in Brazil as a launchpad for their journey north. Federal police highlighted a well-trodden, perilous route from Sao Paulo to Acre, used to reach Peru and subsequently Central America, before attempting to cross into the U.S. The restrictions are aimed at managing the rising influx and addressing issues related to migrant smuggling and human trafficking.

(With inputs from agencies.)