São Paulo to receive Venezuelan immigrants
Mayor João Doria says the city will take in immigrants and refugees from the country starting in April
Migrantes venezuelanos ocupam imóvel abandonado na cidade de Pacaraima (RR). Localizada na fronteira, a cidade de 6.000 habitantes é a porta de entrada para os migrantes venezuelanos que vêm ao Brasil em busca de melhores condições de vida diante da crise econômica e humanitária que afeta o paÃs vizinho. Em janeiro de 2018, a PolÃcia Federal registrou uma média diária de 600 movimentos, por conta do perÃodo de festas. Normalmente, esse número é de 300 registros diário.
After a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, the mayor of São Paulo, João Doria, announced that the city will take in Venezuelans who want to rebuild their lives after fleeing the severe economic and social crisis gripping their country.
The pledge was made after the federal government confirmed that it will embark on a process to help the immigrants move to other states across Brazil in search of new opportunities. This has been a major demand of civil society organizations that work in the area. Earlier this month, the National Human Rights Council issued a set of recommendations that included this measure to move immigrants, provided it is well coordinated and respects their human rights.
According to the President’s Chief of Staff, Eliseu Padilha, to begin with 350 Venezuelans will be transferred to São Paulo and another 180 to the state of Amazonas.
Conectas believes that the city of São Paulo is fulfilling its role by accepting the immigrants and refugees, given that it is one of the municipalities in the country with the best structure and conditions to accommodate them with dignity.
“By participating in this process, São Paulo is doing justice to its history as a city that was built by people who came from all over the world. When it receives these Venezuelans and provides a system of assistance that ranges from shelter to support in matters related to documentation and social services, the city of São Paulo could become a major reference for taking in Venezuelans and set an example for the world,” said Camila Asano, coordinator of programs at Conectas.
The decision is also consistent with commitments made by the city in July 2016, with the approval of the municipal immigration law. The new legislation makes shelter and non-discrimination of immigrants official policy and also establishes human rights, equality, the combat of xenophobia and racism, and the promotion of social rights as underlying principles of the policy.
