Brazil has significantly escalated its national repatriation efforts in response to intensified deportation measures from the United States, with its “Here is Brazil” program facilitating 37 separate operations since January 2025. The initiative has successfully returned numerous vulnerable Brazilian citizens, primarily from US territories, marking a substantial increase in governmental intervention.
The current repatriation volume demonstrates a dramatic surge, nearly doubling the total 1,600 repatriations recorded throughout the entire previous year of 2024. This sharp increase aligns with the implementation of stricter immigration enforcement policies under US President Donald Trump, who had prominently featured mass deportations as a cornerstone of his presidential campaign agenda. The policy shift has notably affected Brazilian nationals residing in the United States.
Following their arrival at Belo Horizonte International Airport—the primary gateway in Minas Gerais state’s southeastern region—repatriated individuals receive comprehensive support. A segment of the most recent group was transferred to specially equipped hotel accommodations providing essential services including meals, hygiene products, and specialized medical and psychological care. The Brazilian Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDCH) has established robust psychosocial support systems alongside logistical guidance and transportation assistance to facilitate returnees’ journeys to their home cities.
The ministry further noted that individuals with established local connections or those opting for immediate onward travel received full assistance directly within the airport terminal, ensuring all returning citizens access necessary support regardless of their final destination arrangements.