Trump’s Immigration Policies: Brazilian Deportees Speak Out

Donald Trump’s return to the White House has brought renewed concerns among immigrant communities as his administration reinstates stricter deportation policies. While Mexicans and Salvadorans remain the primary focus, Brazilians are also feeling the impact. Across the U.S., many are adjusting their routines, avoiding public spaces, and reconsidering long-term plans amid heightened enforcement.

Even places of worship, once sanctuaries of solace, are seeing dwindling attendance as undocumented Brazilians avoid public spaces out of fear of immigration enforcement. Advocates argue that these policies go beyond immigration enforcement, creating a climate of fear that discourages undocumented immigrants from participating in daily life.

According to official figures, approximately 3,700 Brazilians currently face deportation proceedings. The recent deportation of 88 Brazilians under horrific conditions further exemplifies Trump’s policies. Reports have surfaced of deportees being shackled by both hands and feet for hours, denied food and water, and prevented from using the restroom. These degrading conditions have sparked outrage from the Brazilian government and international human rights organizations.

Trump’s immigration policies have been widely criticized for their severity, with opponents arguing that they rely on deterrence through harsh enforcement. Advocates argue that his administration’s policies emphasize deterrence through strict enforcement rather than just border control. “This is a strategy of humiliation,” said Ana Oliveira, an immigration rights advocate in New York. “By making deportation as painful as possible, they want to send a message: ‘Don’t even try to come.'”

The Reality of Trump’s Deportation Machine

Among the deportees was Luiz Fernando Costa, a 40-year-old furniture assembler from Minas Gerais, who described his horrifying experience aboard a U.S. repatriation flight. “The air conditioning was broken; we were suffocating from the heat,” he recounted. When the plane stopped in Panama, passengers were forced to remain inside for four hours, drenched in sweat and struggling to breathe. Upon reaching Manaus, Costa attempted to call for help, only to be physically assaulted by an immigration officer. “A U.S. agent tried to strangle me when I attempted to get closer to another Brazilian so we could scream for help,” he said.

His experience is part of a larger pattern of mistreatment under Trump’s administration. The indiscriminate use of shackles and chains violates agreements between Brazil and the United States, which mandate the humane treatment of deportees. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally protested the actions of U.S. immigration authorities, calling the treatment of these individuals “degrading and unacceptable.”

Other deportees shared similar horror stories. Maria Santos, who lived in Massachusetts for eight years before her deportation, described the trauma of being detained for weeks before her removal. “They kept us in cells, barely giving us anything to eat. Guards mocked us, saying we should ‘go back to our jungle.'”

The Brutality of Trump’s Immigration Policies

Critics say Trump’s immigration enforcement prioritizes strict measures that create fear and uncertainty among undocumented communities. His administration’s reliance on mass deportations, often carried out with little regard for due process, has resulted in thousands of families being torn apart. Since 2018, the U.S. has deported over 11,300 Brazilians, a 65% increase compared to the previous five years.

Unlike previous administrations, Trump’s policies have prioritized speed over fairness. “The concept of due process is disappearing,” said immigration attorney Sandra Ruiz. “We are seeing people who have lived in the U.S. for decades being deported in a matter of weeks, with no real chance to fight their cases.”

Reports indicate that conditions in detention centers have worsened under Trump’s policies, with detainees alleging mistreatment. Testimonies collected by human rights groups detail overcrowded cells, lack of medical care, and racial abuse. “These policies are unnecessarily harsh,’ said activist José Fernandes. ‘The government is making deportation as painful as possible to send a message.’

Living in Fear: The Impact on the Brazilian Community

Families are making drastic, life-altering changes to their daily routines, avoiding any situation that could put them at risk of detention. What was once normal—taking a child to school, going to work, attending a Sunday service—has now become an act of defiance, a gamble with devastating consequences. Parents hesitate to send their children to class, fearing that a routine drop-off could be a one-way trip to a detention center. Some have started homeschooling, others rely on neighbors to transport their children, afraid that a simple traffic stop could result in their deportation.

Workers, too, live in constant fear. Brazilians who once built houses cleaned offices or ran their small businesses now find themselves trapped inside their homes, watching their livelihoods disappear. Construction workers skip shifts, landscapers refuse new clients, and housekeepers cancel appointments. The fear of an unexpected knock on the door or a raid at a job site has made earning an honest living impossible. “People are afraid even to answer the door,” said one Brazilian restaurant worker in Massachusetts, who now only leaves home at night to buy groceries.

Carlos Almeida, a Brazilian construction worker in Florida, shared his fears: “I’ve lived here for ten years, paid my taxes, raised my kids, and now I feel like a criminal just for stepping outside. My wife and I have an emergency plan in case ICE comes knocking.” Like many others, he no longer drives unless necessary, avoids large gatherings, and has taught his children what to do if immigration officers show up at their door.

The psychological toll is immeasurable. Many Brazilians who once believed they were building a future in the United States are now trapped in a nightmare, constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering if today will be the day their lives are uprooted. Reports indicate that ICE officers have dramatically increased their patrols in neighborhoods with high concentrations of Brazilian immigrants, further contributing to an atmosphere of paranoia and helplessness. Community leaders describe a rise in stress-related illnesses, depression, and anxiety among undocumented Brazilians, with many too afraid to even seek medical care.

A single moment—a routine traffic stop, an anonymous tip, a chance encounter with an ICE officer—can shatter years of sacrifice and hard work. And for those already detained, the road back home is lined with chains, abuse, and inhumane treatment. Many families are now more focused on avoiding detection than on their usual routines of work and daily life.

A Growing International Backlash

The Brazilian government has taken a firm stance against these abuses, with Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira pushing for a renegotiation of deportation agreements. One proposed change includes eliminating layovers on deportation flights, which exacerbate the suffering of deportees. Additionally, Brazilian officials have called for prohibiting shackles for individuals without criminal records.

Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski has also condemned the Trump administration’s handling of deportees. “We are not trying to antagonize the U.S., but innocent people deserve dignity,” he stated. “These individuals were acquitted criminals. They were sent back in chains, denied food and water, and treated like animals. This is unacceptable.”

The Brazilian government has also created a reception center at Belo Horizonte’s Confins International Airport to assist deportees arriving on future flights. Macaé Evaristo explained: “We expect to ensure that families are not separated, that passengers have access to water, food, and proper conditions in the aircraft, and that the last flight was inhumane.”

The Human Cost of Trump’s Policies

The effects of Trump’s immigration policies go beyond numbers. Each deportation disrupts lives, separates families, and forces people to start over under difficult circumstances. Many Brazilians returning to their home country face uncertainty—without jobs, possessions, or a clear path forward. The experience of detention and deportation stays with them long after their return.

For Luiz Fernando Costa, the adjustment has been difficult. “I lost everything,” he said. “I spent a year trying to build a future, and it was all taken away in a single day. They treated me like a criminal, but all I wanted was a better life.”

With Trump back in office, concerns are rising that stricter policies will once again bring hardship to immigrant communities. The Biden administration had reversed some of the previous measures, but now, many fear a return to tougher enforcement. Advocates argue that the international community should remain attentive to ensure fair treatment for those affected.