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Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025
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Brazilian Deportees Arrive in Handcuffs, Sparking Outrage Over Treatment by US Authorities
Brazil’s government demands explanations from the US after 88 deported Brazilians were found in handcuffs on a repatriation flight.
A controversial deportation flight carrying 88 Brazilian nationals from the United States arrived in Manaus, Brazil, sparking outrage after authorities discovered the passengers were in handcuffs.
The Brazilian government, expressing strong disapproval, called the treatment a 'flagrant disregard' for human rights and demanded explanations from the US government.
This incident comes amid the hard-line anti-immigration stance of US President Donald Trump's administration, which has ramped up deportations since his return to power.
The flight was not directly linked to recent executive orders by Trump but stemmed from a 2017 bilateral agreement.
However, it has drawn attention due to the harsh conditions aboard the flight, including a lack of water, extreme heat, and technical issues leading to four hours without air conditioning.
Deportees reported being shackled, with some passengers fainting during the journey.
Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski called the treatment 'a flagrant disregard for fundamental rights'.
Among the deportees was Edgar Da Silva Moura, a 31-year-old computer technician who had been detained in the US for seven months.
Moura recounted that the deportees were not allowed bathroom breaks and were tied up during the flight.
Another passenger, 21-year-old Luis Antonio Rodrigues Santos, described the flight as a 'nightmare' with people experiencing respiratory problems due to the heat.
Brazilian authorities took immediate action upon arrival, ordering US officials to remove the handcuffs.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later mobilized a Brazilian Air Force plane to ensure that the deportees could complete their journey safely.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate over US immigration policies, with President Trump continuing his crackdown on illegal immigration.
While deportations have been a longstanding practice, the use of military aircraft for repatriation is a new development under Trump's administration.
An estimated 11 million undocumented migrants are currently in the United States, with many facing uncertain futures under the Trump administration's immigration policies.
The Brazilian government, expressing strong disapproval, called the treatment a 'flagrant disregard' for human rights and demanded explanations from the US government.
This incident comes amid the hard-line anti-immigration stance of US President Donald Trump's administration, which has ramped up deportations since his return to power.
The flight was not directly linked to recent executive orders by Trump but stemmed from a 2017 bilateral agreement.
However, it has drawn attention due to the harsh conditions aboard the flight, including a lack of water, extreme heat, and technical issues leading to four hours without air conditioning.
Deportees reported being shackled, with some passengers fainting during the journey.
Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski called the treatment 'a flagrant disregard for fundamental rights'.
Among the deportees was Edgar Da Silva Moura, a 31-year-old computer technician who had been detained in the US for seven months.
Moura recounted that the deportees were not allowed bathroom breaks and were tied up during the flight.
Another passenger, 21-year-old Luis Antonio Rodrigues Santos, described the flight as a 'nightmare' with people experiencing respiratory problems due to the heat.
Brazilian authorities took immediate action upon arrival, ordering US officials to remove the handcuffs.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later mobilized a Brazilian Air Force plane to ensure that the deportees could complete their journey safely.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate over US immigration policies, with President Trump continuing his crackdown on illegal immigration.
While deportations have been a longstanding practice, the use of military aircraft for repatriation is a new development under Trump's administration.
An estimated 11 million undocumented migrants are currently in the United States, with many facing uncertain futures under the Trump administration's immigration policies.
