FROM DREAM TO NIGHTMARE, INTERRUPTED TRAJECTORIES: AN ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION OF BRAZILIAN DEPORTED FROM THE USA RESINDING IN STATES OF MINAS GERAIS RONDÔNIA BRAZIL

Duval Magalhaes Fernandes, Pontifícia Universidade Catolica de Minas Gerais
Maria da Consolação Gomes de Castro, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gearis
Amanda Balestrini, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gearis
Carolina Barbosa Ribeiro, Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gearis

Estimates indicate that approximately 5.0 million Brazilians live abroad, with 40% of them living in the USA. In this group, several live in conditions of irregular migration. Between 2018 and 2022, it is estimated that the number of undocumented Brazilian immigrants in the USA increased by 21%. At the same time, the number of detentions of Brazilians has increased, both domestically and at the border. When the legal deportation procedures are completed, people are transported to Brazil, handcuffed, on chartered flights, always arriving at the same airport, Confins. Thus, since 2019, more than 6,000 Brazilians have compulsorily returned to the country. This situation was the starting point of a research project that aimed to understand the journey of these Brazilians. Data collection was carried out at Confins airport upon arrival of flights and, subsequently, in the cities of origin of the deportees in Brazil. In this process, 300 deportees were interviewed at the airport, and 30 in-depth interviews were carried out in other locations from April to August 2024. The results made it possible to understand how the migrant smuggling networks that operate in the region operate, the routes, and the difficulties experienced.

Keywords: International Migration, Mixed methods research

See extended abstract.