Outrage in Brazil as Deported Nationals Arrive in Handcuffs on Flight from US

Rio de Janeiro: The Brazilian government has condemned the treatment of its citizens deported from the United States, demanding an explanation from the Trump administration after 88 Brazilians arrived in Manaus handcuffed aboard a deportation flight.

Brazil’s Foreign Ministry described the incident as a “flagrant disregard” for human rights and pledged to seek accountability. The deportees reported experiencing harsh conditions during the flight, including a lack of water, extreme heat due to non-functioning air conditioning, and restricted access to restrooms.

Aboard the Plane

Among the passengers was Edgar Da Silva Moura, a 31-year-old computer technician who spent seven months in detention in the US before his deportation. Moura described the journey as dehumanizing, saying, “We were tied hands and feet, they didn’t give us water, and it was very hot. Some people fainted.”

Luis Antonio Rodrigues Santos, a 21-year-old deportee, recounted the ordeal, saying, “It was a nightmare. People with respiratory issues struggled during four hours without air conditioning.”

Footage aired on Brazilian television showed passengers descending from the aircraft with handcuffs and ankle shackles, a scene that sparked public outrage.

Brazilian Government’s Response

Brazil’s Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski informed President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of the situation, calling it a blatant violation of the rights of Brazilian citizens. The president instructed the Brazilian Air Force to provide an aircraft to safely transport the deportees to their final destinations.

Macae Evaristo, Brazil’s Minister of Human Rights, highlighted additional concerns, stating that children, including those with autism, were also among the deportees, compounding the gravity of the situation.

Background of the Deportation

While the flight was part of a 2017 bilateral agreement between Brazil and the US, it has drawn attention due to President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies since his return to office. Trump has declared a “national emergency” at the US southern border and intensified deportation efforts, targeting irregular migrants with a heavy-handed approach.

A government source clarified that the deportation flight to Brazil was not directly linked to Trump’s new executive orders but highlighted the broader context of his administration’s strict immigration crackdown.

Trump’s Crackdown on Immigration

Since taking office, President Trump has focused on expelling “criminal aliens” and has expanded the use of military aircraft for deportation flights. Similar incidents have occurred in other countries, including Guatemala, where 265 migrants were expelled this week.

The Brazilian government has vowed to ensure that its citizens are treated with dignity and has demanded explanations from the US. The incident has fueled tensions and highlighted the human cost of immigration enforcement policies.