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The recent inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States brought to light a series of strict measures related to immigration, directly impacting Brazilian immigrants illegally staying in the country.
Trump/Foto: Getty Images
According to data from the Pew Research Center, the number of Brazilians living illegally in the USA increased from 130 thousand in 2016 to 200 thousand in 2021, representing a growth of 54%. It is estimated that currently around 230 thousand Brazilians reside illegally in the country.
What does Trump intend to do?
On his first day in office, Trump signed decrees that revoked policies implemented by the Joe Biden administration. Among the changes, the following stand out:
End of protected areas: Previously considered safe zones, schools, hospitals and churches are now accessible for immigration agents to conduct operations. According to the acting director of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Benjamine Huffman, the objective is to ensure that “criminals can no longer hide in these locations.”
Revocation of moratoriums: Measures that allowed immigrants with pending cases to stay were eliminated, affecting hundreds of thousands of people.
Acceleration of deportations:
Trump ordered immigrants to:
They entered the USA illegally,
They do not have regularized status,
They cannot prove that they have lived in the country for at least two years, so they are a priority target for immediate deportation.
Suspension of citizenship due to birth: The decree, which contradicts the US Constitution, prevents children of illegal immigrants born in the country from having the right to American citizenship. This measure generated a strong reaction, with 22 states governed by Democrats already taking legal action against the federal government.
Impact for Brazilians
With these measures, Brazilians illegally staying in the US face an increased risk of deportation. In 2024, 1,648 Brazilians were deported from the US, a number that could grow significantly under the new policies. Furthermore, the possible revocation of citizenship by birth would directly affect children of Brazilian immigrants born in the country.
Reactions and Legal Challenges
Trump’s actions have already generated responses from several states and organizations. At least 22 states governed by Democrats have sued the federal government to challenge the measure that seeks to eliminate birthright citizenship
