1. Home
  2. / Curiosities
  3. / The end of the American dream! Trump takes office, Brazilians are expelled from the United States and end up deported
reading time 5 min read Comments 5 comments

The end of the American dream! Trump takes office, Brazilians are expelled from the United States and end up deported

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published 24/01/2025 às 19:28
Flight with 88 Brazilians deported from the US arrives in Belo Horizonte, reflecting stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration.
Flight with 88 Brazilians deported from the US arrives in Belo Horizonte, reflecting stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration.

This Friday, January 24, 2025, a flight from Alexandria, Virginia, lands at Belo Horizonte International Airport, bringing 88 Brazilians deported from the United States.

The “American dream”, which for so long fueled the hopes and life projects of thousands of Brazilians, took on dramatic contours at the beginning of 2025.

With the inauguration of Donald Trump, US immigration policy underwent a radical change, directly affecting thousands of Brazilians.

Many faced forced deportation, especially those who failed to regularize their immigration status in time.

The changes brought uncertainty and disruption to entire families, who now need to restart their lives in Brazil after the difficult experience of compulsory return.

Today, Belo Horizonte is the stage for a scene that illustrates how relations between the two countries are being impacted.

On Friday night (24), at 20 pm, a flight from Alexandria, in the state of Virginia, United States, is expected to land at Belo Horizonte International Airport, in Confins (MG).

On board are 88 Brazilians deported by the US government, one of the first effects of the new Trump administration, which reaffirmed its position against illegal immigration.

This is the second deportation flight this year; the first took place on January 10, before the Republican president's inauguration.

Behind the scenes of the flight

The aircraft used in this operation has capacity for 180 passengers, but only transports the deportees and a security team hired by the United States government.

According to iinformation from CNN Brazil, these security guards are responsible for ensuring order during the journey, accompanied by American immigration officials who supervise the process.

Upon arrival on Brazilian soil, deportees will undergo a screening process conducted by the Federal Police. The aim is to check whether any of them have outstanding issues with the Brazilian justice system.

If there are no irregularities, they will be released to continue their journey. However, those with pending legal issues will remain in detention.

Strict immigration policies

Donald Trump was quick to implement sweeping changes to his immigration policies.

One of the most controversial measures was the signing of an executive order that suspends the entry of illegal immigrants through the southern border of the United States with Mexico.

The administration has also resumed the use of military flights for mass deportations, as is happening today.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, these actions are part of a broader strategy to “ensure national security and restore order.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Leavitt shared images of handcuffed immigrants being loaded onto a military plane, without detailing the nationalities of those deported.

The initiative reinforces the hardening of immigration policy, one of Trump's campaign pillars.

Immigrants deported from the USA. • Social Networks

Impact for Brazilians in the USA

For Brazilians residing in the United States, especially those in an irregular situation, the climate is one of apprehension.

Immigration experts recommend that immigrants seek legal advice to regularize their situation or plan alternatives.

Many of these Brazilians left in search of better life opportunities, but now face the reality of a less tolerant immigration system.

Data from immigrant support organizations indicate that the Brazilian community in the US is significant, totaling around 1,4 million people, according to Itamaraty.

This population is concentrated mainly in states such as Florida, which is home to more than 400 Brazilians, Massachusetts, with around 350, and California.

These numbers reflect the search for better living conditions, but they also show the impact of strict immigration policies on this community.

The deportations represent a severe blow to families who have invested their savings and hopes in building a new life.

International reactions and controversies

The measures adopted by the American government have generated reactions around the world.

Coalitions of states within the US are challenging the constitutionality of some of Trump's executive orders, such as the one that seeks to suspend citizenship rights for children of illegal immigrants.

The issue promises to be the target of intense legal disputes in the coming months.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, human rights organizations criticize the conditions in which immigrants are treated during deportation processes.

The images shared by White House, with immigrants handcuffed, were widely criticized by activists.

Human Rights Watch director Sarah Jones said these practices “violate human dignity and perpetuate an unnecessary punitive approach against people in vulnerable situations.”

Additionally, representatives from the Immigrant Rights Coalition highlighted that the images reinforce stigmas and ignore the emotional impact of these actions on affected families.

The political context and perspectives

Donald Trump's presidency represents a continuation of the hardline anti-immigration policies that marked his first term.

Upon regaining power, he seeks to consolidate his vision of “America for Americans,” placing immigration at the center of his agenda.

For Brazil, these measures bring important reflections on the situation of immigrants and the impacts of international policies on their territory.

The arrival of Brazilians deported on flights organized by the US government is a clear sign of how bilateral relations are being shaped by the actions of the Trump administration.

And now?

With the intensification of immigration policies, it remains to be seen how Brazilians in the United States will deal with this new scenario and how Brazil will prepare to welcome those who return to the country.

The story of each of these deportees reflects not only the search for a better life, but also the difficulties of adapting to new political and social realities.

Do you think US immigration policies are fair or overly strict? Join in and let us know in the comments!

Be the first to react!
React to article
Registration
Notify
guest
5 Comments
Older
Last Most voted
Feedbacks
View all comments
Wanderniza Medeiros dos Santos Sant'Ana
Wanderniza Medeiros dos Santos Sant'Ana
24/01/2025 20:42

I don't think this is a mistake because many of them voted for him in the elections. This is a blow against immigrant citizens and anyone born there stops being American. This man started his government badly. Be careful with attacks. That's all I'm warning you...

Flavio
Flavio
25/01/2025 01:36

Unfortunately, anyone who is in the country illegally cannot complain about deportation, as entering a country as an illegal immigrant is a lottery and the house always wins.

Amr
Amr
25/01/2025 09:10

Between 2018 and 2020, 4.966 Brazilians were expelled from the US; under the Biden administration, between 2021 and 2024, there were 6.499.
If you want to give news, give it in full.

Alisson Ficher

Journalist graduated in 2017 and working in the field since 2015, with six years of experience in print magazines, stints on broadcast TV channels and over 12 online publications. Specialist in politics, jobs, economics, courses, among other topics. Professional registration: 0087134/SP. If you have any questions, want to report an error or suggest a topic on the topics covered on the site, please contact us by email: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. We do not accept resumes!

Share across apps
0
We would love your opinion on this subject, comment!x