From an immigration to an emigration country: From an immigration to an emigration country: some remarks on Brazilian transitional some remarks on Brazilian transitional

experience as a challenge to migration policiesexperience as a challenge to migration policies

Helion Póvoa-NetoHelion Póvoa-NetoMigration Studies Group (NIEM)Migration Studies Group (NIEM)

Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ)

IGU Commission International Conference on IGU Commission International Conference on ““Transnational processes and crossing places: new forms of international mobility” Transnational processes and crossing places: new forms of international mobility”

Gran Canaria, Spain, June 19-21, 2009Gran Canaria, Spain, June 19-21, 2009

Transitional experiences in international migration: Transitional experiences in international migration: emigration>immigrationemigration>immigration (Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland…), (Spain, Italy, Greece, Ireland…), emigration>transit>immigrationemigration>transit>immigration (Morocco, (Morocco, Mexico), Mexico), mixed situationsmixed situations (Portugal), (Portugal), immigration>emigrationimmigration>emigration (Brazil, Argentina, (Brazil, Argentina, other South American countries); other South American countries); return movements return movements may be intervenient may be intervenient processes in these casesprocesses in these cases

““Mobility transitionMobility transition” hypothesis by Wilbur Zelinsky (1971), rooted in ” hypothesis by Wilbur Zelinsky (1971), rooted in modernization theory, enumerates “stages” and enforces a modernization theory, enumerates “stages” and enforces a transitional migration transitional migration perspectiveperspective, recognizing complex, non-linear relations between migration and , recognizing complex, non-linear relations between migration and general social, economic, demographic transformation (Hein de Haas, 2007).general social, economic, demographic transformation (Hein de Haas, 2007).

Transitions represent Transitions represent symbolic, political, and cultural challenges symbolic, political, and cultural challenges to societies to societies involved (Agrela, 2002).involved (Agrela, 2002).

Brazil, as other South American societies, faces a transitional process of Brazil, as other South American societies, faces a transitional process of becoming, for the very first time, an emigration country, and begins to develop becoming, for the very first time, an emigration country, and begins to develop state policies coherent to this new situation. state policies coherent to this new situation.

Brief historical panorama of immigration policy Brief historical panorama of immigration policy in Brazilin Brazil

19th century and first decades of 20th century: state-supported 19th century and first decades of 20th century: state-supported immigration, mainly from Europe (from 1908: also from Japan); immigration, mainly from Europe (from 1908: also from Japan); main goals were to promote labour force for plantations and urban main goals were to promote labour force for plantations and urban industry, create settlement colonies and promote Europeanizationindustry, create settlement colonies and promote Europeanization

1930s and 40s: imposition of quota regimes, interruption of 1930s and 40s: imposition of quota regimes, interruption of immigration during war, State-promoted hostility toward Axis immigration during war, State-promoted hostility toward Axis immigrantsimmigrants

Post-war: refugees and continuity of former immigration flows, till Post-war: refugees and continuity of former immigration flows, till the 60s (without official support)the 60s (without official support)

1970s: farmers frontier expansion to Paraguay (“brasiguaios”)1970s: farmers frontier expansion to Paraguay (“brasiguaios”) From the 1980s: “new”immigration (Latin Americans, Asians, From the 1980s: “new”immigration (Latin Americans, Asians,

Africans), return movements of Africans), return movements of brasiguaio brasiguaio farmers and farmers and beginning of emigration flows to U.S., Japan, and Europebeginning of emigration flows to U.S., Japan, and Europe

Brazilian farmers emigration to Paraguay Brazilian farmers emigration to Paraguay

(WENDEN, Catherine Wihtol de. Atlas de migrations dans le monde. Paris: Autrement, 2005)

Political opportunities and challenges for a Political opportunities and challenges for a migration policy coherent to the new situationmigration policy coherent to the new situation

1990s and 2000s: “discovery” of emigration as a major social process in 1990s and 2000s: “discovery” of emigration as a major social process in Brazilian society Brazilian society

Increasing attention of Brazilian (and international) midia to a new Increasing attention of Brazilian (and international) midia to a new phenomemon phenomemon

First academic studies about Brazilian emigration (most focusing First academic studies about Brazilian emigration (most focusing communities in U.S. and Japan)communities in U.S. and Japan)

Incidents increase public awareness of the presence of a Brazilian Incidents increase public awareness of the presence of a Brazilian diaspora abroad: repatriation of emigrants (but also of students and diaspora abroad: repatriation of emigrants (but also of students and travellers) by immigration authorities in European airports; involvement of travellers) by immigration authorities in European airports; involvement of Brazilians in international criminal chains of traffic and sexual exploitation; Brazilians in international criminal chains of traffic and sexual exploitation; imprisoning of Brazilians in U.S. and Japan; murder of Jean Charles de imprisoning of Brazilians in U.S. and Japan; murder of Jean Charles de Menezes by British police in 2005 (taken for a terrorist in London metro). Menezes by British police in 2005 (taken for a terrorist in London metro).

Concerns of immigration authorities in destination countries about growing Concerns of immigration authorities in destination countries about growing of Brazilian communities; they increasingly cease to be considered as an of Brazilian communities; they increasingly cease to be considered as an “invisible minority” (Margolis, 1994).“invisible minority” (Margolis, 1994).

Political opportunities and challenges for a Political opportunities and challenges for a migration policy coherent to the new situationmigration policy coherent to the new situation

Consular and remittances data Consular and remittances data about Brazilian emigrants about Brazilian emigrants suggest a new magnitude for the suggest a new magnitude for the phenomenon: 7.3 billion $ of phenomenon: 7.3 billion $ of remittances in 2006 (United remittances in 2006 (United Nations); population of about 3.1 Nations); population of about 3.1 millions abroad in 2007 (Ministry millions abroad in 2007 (Ministry of Foreign Relations, probably of Foreign Relations, probably underestimated)underestimated)

(Brazil, Ministry of Foreign Relations, (Brazil, Ministry of Foreign Relations, 2007)2007)

COUNTRYCOUNTRY PRESENCE OF PRESENCE OF BRAZILIANSBRAZILIANS

United StatesUnited States 1,245,0001,245,000

Japan Japan 329,000329,000

ParaguayParaguay 200,000-400,000200,000-400,000

PortugalPortugal 190,000190,000

United KingdomUnited Kingdom 150,000150,000

ItalyItaly 120,000120,000

SpainSpain 110,000110,000

International meetings by NGOs and International meetings by NGOs and communities of Brazilians abroadcommunities of Brazilians abroad

1st International Symposium on Brazilian Emigration. Lisbon, Portugal 1st International Symposium on Brazilian Emigration. Lisbon, Portugal (1997)(1997)

1st Iberian Meeting of Brazilian Communities Abroad. Lisbon, Portugal 1st Iberian Meeting of Brazilian Communities Abroad. Lisbon, Portugal (2002). “Lisbon Letter” as a document with consistent demands, such as (2002). “Lisbon Letter” as a document with consistent demands, such as facilitating remittances, social security bilateral agreements, advising facilitating remittances, social security bilateral agreements, advising campaigns about risks of migration and immigrant rights etc. campaigns about risks of migration and immigrant rights etc.

1st Brazilian Summit. Boston, U.S., 2005. “Boston Letter” demands 1st Brazilian Summit. Boston, U.S., 2005. “Boston Letter” demands opening of new consular representations and a State Policy for the needs opening of new consular representations and a State Policy for the needs of Brazilians abroadof Brazilians abroad

2nd Brazilian Summit. Brussels, Belgium, 2007. Creation of a network of 2nd Brazilian Summit. Brussels, Belgium, 2007. Creation of a network of Brazilians in Europe. 3rd Summit will happen next July, in Barcelona, Brazilians in Europe. 3rd Summit will happen next July, in Barcelona, Spain. Spain.

Brazilian emigrants in Switzerland create the “Brazilian emigrants in Switzerland create the “Brasileirinhos ApátridasBrasileirinhos Apátridas” ” (Stateless Little Brazilians) campaign, demanding modification in (Stateless Little Brazilians) campaign, demanding modification in jus soli jus soli law which did not grant Brazilian nationality to children of emigrants born law which did not grant Brazilian nationality to children of emigrants born abroad. Campaign in victorious and in 2007 a Constitutional Amendment abroad. Campaign in victorious and in 2007 a Constitutional Amendment recognizes Brazilian nationality to the foreign-born.recognizes Brazilian nationality to the foreign-born.

Involvement of State AgenciesInvolvement of State Agencies

Candidates for presidential elections of 2002 sign compromises to Brazilians Candidates for presidential elections of 2002 sign compromises to Brazilians abroadabroad

Ministry of Foreign Relations begins to attempt to and to assist Brazilian emigrants Ministry of Foreign Relations begins to attempt to and to assist Brazilian emigrants activism. activism.

National Council of Immigration of Brazil (CNI), from Ministry of Labour, begins to National Council of Immigration of Brazil (CNI), from Ministry of Labour, begins to be involved with Brazilian abroad, and creates the first House for the Brazilian be involved with Brazilian abroad, and creates the first House for the Brazilian Worker in the border with Paraguay, to assist emigrants, return immigrants and Worker in the border with Paraguay, to assist emigrants, return immigrants and commuters. It is significative that this Council is in transit to be renamed as Council commuters. It is significative that this Council is in transit to be renamed as Council National of Migration. National of Migration.

International Labour Organization (ILO) begins to collaborate with Ministry of International Labour Organization (ILO) begins to collaborate with Ministry of Labour in prom,oting “decent work” and campaign for the Brazilian government to Labour in prom,oting “decent work” and campaign for the Brazilian government to sign and ratify international conventions of United Nations and ILO on the rights of sign and ratify international conventions of United Nations and ILO on the rights of migrants workers. migrants workers.

Ministry of Justice begins in 2004 campaign with UNODCMinistry of Justice begins in 2004 campaign with UNODC, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, to fight trafficking of Brazilians abroad.

UNODC is mandated to assist member states in the struggle against illicit drugs, UNODC is mandated to assist member states in the struggle against illicit drugs, crime and terrorism. Brazil is a signatory of 2000 Palermo Convention against crime and terrorism. Brazil is a signatory of 2000 Palermo Convention against international crime, including the traffic of human beings.international crime, including the traffic of human beings.

Council National of Immigration Guide for Brazilians Abroad Council National of Immigration Guide for Brazilians Abroad (2007)(2007)

Ministry of Justice campaign warning against human Ministry of Justice campaign warning against human trafictrafic

““At first they take you At first they take you passport, then they take your passport, then they take your liberty”liberty”

Fake job offerts abroad by Trama NGOFake job offerts abroad by Trama NGO

Trama campaignTrama campaign

““contents: Maria dos contents: Maria dos Santos, 21 yoSantos, 21 yo

Origin: BrazilOrigin: Brazil

Destination: human Destination: human trafic”trafic”

Difficulties and controversies about an Difficulties and controversies about an emigration policy in Brazilemigration policy in Brazil

Statistics about Brazilians abroad are still very incomplete, since there are probably Statistics about Brazilians abroad are still very incomplete, since there are probably more than 50℅ undocumented, failing to appear in statistics. more than 50℅ undocumented, failing to appear in statistics.

Interaction and collaboration between Brazilian state agencies is still far from Interaction and collaboration between Brazilian state agencies is still far from satisfactory; some attributions overlap and there is considerable competition satisfactory; some attributions overlap and there is considerable competition between thembetween them

For a country which is a major contributor to international migration as an area of For a country which is a major contributor to international migration as an area of origin, it would be politically very significant to sign and ratify the 1990 United origin, it would be politically very significant to sign and ratify the 1990 United Nations Conventions on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families. Brazil is Nations Conventions on the Rights of Migrant Workers and their Families. Brazil is the only Mercosul member not to have done it.the only Mercosul member not to have done it.

Some researchers point that Brazilian educated workers may also be in the way to Some researchers point that Brazilian educated workers may also be in the way to become a focus for international brain drain; the Province of Québec, Canada, has become a focus for international brain drain; the Province of Québec, Canada, has just opened (2008) an immigration office in São Paulo to promote qualified work just opened (2008) an immigration office in São Paulo to promote qualified work emigration. emigration.

Accepting the transition from an immigration to an emigration country is hard for Accepting the transition from an immigration to an emigration country is hard for Brazil’s historical self-depiction as a large territory with a moving frontier and “room Brazil’s historical self-depiction as a large territory with a moving frontier and “room for all” its national population. Persistent depictions that no more correspond to for all” its national population. Persistent depictions that no more correspond to reality represent an additional difficulty for establishing a coherent and effective reality represent an additional difficulty for establishing a coherent and effective policy in the field of emigration.policy in the field of emigration.

References References

AGRELA, B. (2002) Spain as a Recent Country of Immigration: How AGRELA, B. (2002) Spain as a Recent Country of Immigration: How Immigration Became a Symbolic, Political, and Cultural Problem in the Immigration Became a Symbolic, Political, and Cultural Problem in the "New Spain". San Diego, University of California. Center for Comparative "New Spain". San Diego, University of California. Center for Comparative Immigration Studies. Working Papers. n. 57. Immigration Studies. Working Papers. n. 57. http://repositories.cdlib.org/ccis/papers/wrkg57http://repositories.cdlib.org/ccis/papers/wrkg57

DE HAAS, H. (2007). Morocco’s migration experience: a transitional DE HAAS, H. (2007). Morocco’s migration experience: a transitional perspective. International Migration 45(4).perspective. International Migration 45(4).

MARGOLIS, M. (1994). Little Brazil: An Ethnography of Brazilian MARGOLIS, M. (1994). Little Brazil: An Ethnography of Brazilian Immigrants in New York City. Princeton: Princeton University.Immigrants in New York City. Princeton: Princeton University.

MARGOLIS, M. (1998). An Invisible Minority: Brazilian Immigrants in New MARGOLIS, M. (1998). An Invisible Minority: Brazilian Immigrants in New York City. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.York City. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.

SPRANDEL. M. A. (2008). Personal communication.SPRANDEL. M. A. (2008). Personal communication. ZELINSKY, W. (1971). The Hypothesis of the Mobility Transition”. ZELINSKY, W. (1971). The Hypothesis of the Mobility Transition”.

Geographical Review 61, no. 2, 219-249.Geographical Review 61, no. 2, 219-249.