Brazil recorded the arrival of 194,331 migrants in 2024, with Venezuelans topping the list of those sheltered. Operation Welcome, a humanitarian initiative that supports the voluntary, safe, and organized relocation of refugees and migrants, received 94,726 Venezuelans. The data come from the 8th edition of the Migration Bulletin, published by the National Justice Secretariat (Senajus) of the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
According to the ministry, family reunification was the primary reason for shelter requests in Brazil, accounting for 16,567 cases. Work and investment followed with 14,507 requests, while study was cited in 8,725 cases. Additionally, there were 2,300 requests for religious missions, 1,966 for border residency, and 4,317 for humanitarian aid.
The data also reveal that 68,159 requests for refugee status were submitted last year. Of these, 13,632 have been approved, 24,887 closed, 28,890 shelved, and 318 rejected.
"Venezuela remains the leading country of origin among recognized refugees (12,726), followed by Afghanistan (283) and Colombia (121)," the bulletin states.
Venezuelans
In December last year, 5,837 Venezuelans entered Brazil, with Pacaraima, in Roraima state, serving as the main point of entry. In Pacaraima and the state capital, Boa Vista, assistance is provided by Operation Welcome.
Venezuelan migrants who have entered Brazil currently reside in 1,026 municipalities across all regions of the country. Curitiba and Manaus host the largest number of migrants assisted by the program, according to the bulletin.
At the end of January this year, the operation was suspended after the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations (UN) agency responsible for supporting migrants and refugees, announced a 90-day block on fund transfers imposed by US President Donald Trump on January 26.
The following day, Brazilian authorities held a meeting with representatives of the organization to discuss the impact of the suspension of activities under Operation Welcome. It was agreed that Brazil’s government would take over the IOM's operations.
"The Brazilian authorities are mobilized and working to mitigate the impact of the absence of IOM teams in the logistics operation and shelter management. Emergency measures include the redeployment of civil servants from healthcare, social assistance, the Federal Police, and the Ministry of Defense to ensure the continuity of essential activities," said the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in a statement.
According to the ministry, the significant influx of people migrating from Venezuela highlights the need for the "Brazilian federal government to implement policies addressing the humanitarian crisis in that country."
Brazilians abroad
Data show that by 2023, 4,996,951 Brazilian citizens were living abroad.
"The primary destination regions are North America (2.26 million) and Europe (1.67 million). The United States remains the country with the highest number of Brazilian residents (2.08 million), followed by Portugal (513,000)," the ministry informed.
