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Brazil
To Accept Illegal Immigrants
Rio de Janeiro - Brazilian
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Thursday
signed a decree to take in illegal immigrants
entering the country before Feb. 1.
"This is a generous land, which always receives with
open arms those who come here to work," said Lula.
National Justice Secretary Romeu Tuma Junior said
the measure may benefit up to 50,000 illegal
immigrants. However, international organizations
estimate that about 200,000 immigrants may benefit
from the new decree.
The immigrants will remain forbidden from voting and
joining the military.
Under the latest decree, illegal immigrants must
first report themselves to federal police to get a
temporary residence authorization.
The authorization lasts two years, and by the end of
the period immigrants can apply for a permanent
residence authorization, which will allow them to
live in Brazil for as long as they wish.
The decree does not apply to those who were banned
from Brazil or regarded as a threat to the country.
This is not the first time the Brazilian government
admits illegal immigrants. Similar measures were
adopted in 1988 and 1998, benefiting some 60,000
immigrants.
President Lula also sent a bill to the Congress to
introduce new regulations for foreigners living in
the country. If approved, the new bill will replace
the current one, which took effect in 1980.
The new bill assures foreign citizens' access to
Brazil's public health, education, and justice
systems.
There are around 880,000 foreign citizens legally
residing in Brazil. The single largest group is from
Portugal with 270,000 people, followed by Japan with
90,000, Italy with 70,000, Spain with 60,000 and
Argentina with 40,000.
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