United Kingdom deported more than 600 Brazilians on ‘secret’ flights, says newspaper

The United Kingdom classified the deportations as voluntary and said it was intensifying measures against illegal migration. According to the newspaper, the group of Brazilians deported included people whose visas had expired in the country. The children were part of families living illegally in the country and many were already enrolled in British schools.

Itamaraty reinforces that flights are part of a “voluntary decision” by Brazilians. “The United Kingdom proposed organizing voluntary return flights to Brazil, by commercial airlines, for Brazilians registered in the Voluntary Return Program (VRS), maintained by the country’s “Home Office”. The initiative offers air tickets for migrants who wish to return to their countries of origin, in addition to financial assistance to resettle in their hometowns”, informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a note.

The voluntary return process proposed by the United Kingdom is in line with the principles of Brazilian consular assistance which, in specific cases, also finances the travel of Brazilians in situations of deprivation abroad. (…) Brazilian consent to the program is based on the requirement that national participation is voluntary and may be reviewed, at any time, if these terms are changed. Itamaraty, in a note sent to Facto News

August was the month with the largest withdrawal of Brazilians from the United Kingdom, according to the newspaper. The Guardian found, through data mapped via the country’s access to information law, that 411 Brazilians, including 73 children, were removed from the country on the 9th and 23rd of August. On September 27, there were 218 people, including 36 minors.

More than 8 thousand migrants left the country between July and September this year. The number, released by the British government last Thursday (28), represents a 16% increase in the number of people deported, compared to the same period last year. According to The Guardian, the majority (6,247) were “voluntary returns” and, “although the government is interested in highlighting the number of deportees, it did not disclose that the destination of the historic flights was Brazil”.

Government offers incentives of up to 3,000 pounds (about R$22,000) for “voluntary returns” of migrants, including babies and children. Also according to the newspaper, the amounts are deposited on pre-recharge cards that are activated when the person lands in their country of origin.