Haitian migrant woman in Manaus, Brazil: a brief overview of their migration processes and struggles
Authors: Margarita Olivera, Yasmin Mussalem Haddad, Corina Demarchi Vilallón, Vivian Braga de Oliveira
Context
During the 2010-2020 decade, Brazil observed a significant increase in international migratory flows, becoming an important destination country, especially for the Latin American population. Especially during the beginning of the decade, it was possible to notice an increase in the arrival of Haitians in the country, because of a major earthquake that hit the country in 2010.
When Haiti experienced a process of civil disorder, Brazil assumed the leadership of the UN military force that was established in the country. In addition to the presence of the Brazilian army in the country, we can point out other factors that tend to place Brazil as a destination for these migrants, namely, the growth of the Brazilian economy in the early 2000’s and the stricter migration controls for other destinations such as the United States and European countries. The new migratory flow forced Brazil to take emergency measures and placed the migration issue in the public and political debate, even prompting changes in Brazilian legislation on the subject.
Due to the difficulties faced by the Haitian people, Brazil has implemented measures to deal with this migratory flow, such as Normative Resolution No. 97 of 2012, of the National Immigration Council – CNIg, which established the granting of humanitarian visas. A humanitarian visa is an authorization granted by a country to foreigners in need of protection and assistance.
According to data from the National Migration Registration System (SisMigra) of the Brazilian Federal Police, there was a significant entry of Haitians into the country in the 2010-2024 period, totaling approximately 186 thousand migrants. The year with the highest influx of Haitian migrants was 2016, when about 42 thousand Haitians arrived in Brazil. In 2024, about 51.7% of Haitian migrants were women. In general, Haitians use several routes to reach the country, with a large concentration of them arriving in the North region, in states such as Amazonas and Acre, some staying and others going to São Paulo, where there tend to be more work opportunities.
