Brazil strongly criticized the US government, saying that American officials deported Brazilian nationals “in handcuffs with flagrant disregard for their rights.” Diplomats clashed as the country of Brazil responded to President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
Brazilian authorities responded to the arrival of a US deportation flight carrying 88 Brazilian citizens that landed Friday night in Manaus, northern Brazil, with outrage. The deportees arrived handcuffed, the justice ministry said in Brazil, and condemned the practice as “degrading treatment” and “flagrant disregard for fundamental rights.”
Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski promptly informed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the incident, leading to immediate intervention. Lula directed that a Brazilian Air Force aircraft transport the deportees to their final destinations to ensure their dignity and safety.
The foreign ministry announced it would formally request explanations from the US government regarding the incident, underscoring its commitment to safeguarding the rights of its citizens abroad.
Complaints of Inhumane Treatment
Deported immigrants reported repulsive conditions when deported. Passengers were handcuffed at both hands and feet, and no water was offered to them; instead, they were exposed to extreme heat, which left some weak and fainted in the process.
US officials claimed the deportees were carrying the right documentations and agreed to return to Brazil, but the conditions of their traveling have been widely condemned.
Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
The incident comes at a time when President Donald Trump has taken very aggressive immigration policies, especially since his return to power. His administration has declared a “national emergency” at the US southern border, deployed more troops, and promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants, particularly those deemed “criminal aliens.”
Although the Manaus flight was covered under a bilateral agreement between the US and Brazil which was signed in 2017, its timing corresponds with Trump’s new immigration policies.
His administration has also started to utilize military aircraft for deportation flights. Such planes were never used for deportation flights earlier.
Trump’s hardline policy comes under discussion all over Latin America as frequent deportation flights are being carried out to countries like Guatemala and Brazil.
Tensions Warranted Itself
Brazil was another country to call the policies of Donald Trump into question, but here, it cited the humane treatment to the deportees. Brazilian President Lula da Silva acted fast because of a much broader regional response to what is seen as draconian US enforcement of immigration. The United States has an estimated 11 million undocumented migrants, based on the estimate of the Department of Homeland Security.
As deportation flights continue, the international community keeps a close watch on Trump’s approach to immigration with critics calling for greater accountability and respect for human rights.