Thursday September 5, 2024
Somali youths stranded at São Paulo International Airport gather in a waiting area as they face uncertainty following Brazil's new refugee policy, which has left them without access to basic facilities. CREDIT/ Amir Nur
Mogadishu (HOL) — Over a week after Brazil's refugee policy change, a group of Somali youths remains stranded at São Paulo International Airport, unable to enter the country under the new immigration laws. The group, which had travelled from South Africa en route to the United States, was stopped upon arrival and told to stay at the airport as Brazilian authorities reviewed their cases.
Brazil's new refugee policy, which took effect on August 26, halts the intake of new asylum seekers. The Somali youths, who landed shortly after the law came into force, are now in legal limbo. Despite the uncertain situation, the group remains hopeful they will be granted asylum.
"We hope to be accepted as refugees, but things have not turned out as we expected," Amir Nur Ali, one of the stranded youths, told the BBC. The group of 18 arrived at São Paulo at the end of August, only to discover the law had changed. Another group of 12 Somalis, who arrived earlier, has also been stranded at the airport for nearly 20 days.
The youths are living in challenging conditions. "We're sleeping on concrete floors, and it's freezing. There are no blankets," Amiir explained. Brazilian officials have visited the group but have yet to make a final decision on their status. The situation is further complicated by the absence of a Somali embassy in Brazil, which limits their access to diplomatic support.
Mahad Weheliye Raan, a Somali community leader in Brazil and a criminology researcher, explained that many Somalis arrive in Brazil on transit visas and apply for asylum upon landing. He said the Brazilian government's new refugee policy was enacted to control the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving in the country. "The government is struggling to manage the flow of refugees, especially since Somalia lacks embassies in many Latin American countries," Mahad told the BBC.
Meanwhile, the Somali community in Brazil is working to assist the stranded youths, offering support as they await a final decision from the Brazilian government.