Brazil, US officials agree to discuss how deported migrants are treated
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Brazilian migrants deported from the US board a Brazilian Air Force flight to Belo Horizonte at the Eduardo Gomes International Airport in Manaus, Brazil, on Jan 25.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BRASILIA - Brazilian and US officials agreed on Jan 29 to discuss regularly how Washington will deport migrants from Brazil, as some leaders in Latin America have balked at what they see as poor treatment of their citizens on repatriation flights.
Brazil's foreign affairs ministry said in a social media post that the talks will be led by officials from the ministry and the US embassy, after the ministry summoned a senior US diplomat earlier this week over the treatment of recent deportees that local officials condemned as degrading.
US President Donald Trump, who took office last week, has escalated a crackdown on unlawful migration to the United States
The ministry noted that the new working group will exchange information and ensure "safety and dignified and respectful treatment" for Brazilians on permitted deportation flights.
The ministry added the parties have agreed to establish a direct line of communication to follow flights in real time.
The push for increased dialogue over the politically sensitive issue comes after Colombia and the United States pulled back from the brink of a trade war on Jan 26 provoked by a spat over deportation flights.
Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski said on Jan 29 that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva had asked Foreign Affairs Minister Mauro Vieira to seek out a new agreement with the United States over the deportations.
The president wants to ensure that Brazilians are returned with "a minimum of dignity and that their fundamental rights are respected," Mr Lewandowski said. REUTERS
