A series of events has led to many Brazilians abandoning their lives in North America to return to Brazil.
The New York Times reports that immigration policy in the USA, the falling dollar, and the sub-prime lending have all contributed to a dramatic turning of the tide for Brazilians living in the USA. Many of the reasons for living in the USA have now disappeared or diminished, for example the once dramatically greater earning potential of an American job over a Brazilian job. Additionally, Brazilian immigrants, many of whom are in the country illegally after arriving on now-expired tourist visas, now face the realities of non-renewable expired drivers’ licenses. Inability to operate a car alone is enough to paralyze one’s entire existence in this country.
A large number of the Brazilians who are in the USA illegally, it ought to be noted, have tried fervently to gain citizenship to no avail. There is no doubt that if the process to become a legal citizen were easier – or at least more feasible – that many of these well-adjusted, affluent Brazilians would stay here and continue to participate in their communities and business endeavors. The irony is arguably that citizenship is very hard to attain partly because of the illegal immigration problem in the US right now. It is a real Catch-22 as far as I can see it.
This is a very interesting issue; I encourage everyone to comment at the bottom of this post.
Edit: PMarca provides an interesting resource for understanding the best arguments of the great USA immigration debate.
Comments:
Kirsten:
You’re right, this is very interesting. I read an article from I believe the New York Times (it was given out in my Brazilian History class) about a town in Massachusetts where some strict anti-immigrant policies were enacting, which led to the abandonment of the town by the large Brazilian immigrant population. Apparently the town is now suffering economically and bemoaning the loss of all these economic contributers who have either left for another, more immigrant-friendly part of the country or returned to Brazil. I think that this example illustrates concretely the positive effects that immigrants do have on this country, whether that is economically or culturally. I’m sure that a surge in immigrants leaving the U.S. will create similar effects in other parts of the country.
Kirsten:
Where can I find more information about this(newspaper articles, reports, etc)?
Registered User:
I agree that our immigration policy is flawed, though it is important to recognize that there is an economic cost associated with illegal immigrants living and working in the US. Though they add to the workforce, they often don’t pay their taxes (some would argue because they don’t have a way to), and consume the same amount, if not considerably more, social services funded by legal citizens’ tax dollars.
Part of the problem in the US is that both political parties have an interest in turning a blind eye to illegal immigration in the short term, despite its unfortunate long-term effects. Democrats are generally interested in immigrants’ becoming active politically because they overwhelmingly vote for that party; the Republicans are duty bound to serve the interests of big business, which benefits from having the inexpensive labor that typically doesn’t unionize or demand ‘American’ benefits.
Another piece to remember is that many Brazilians I know are waiting in line for their *tourist visas* indefinitely. Why should people trying to immigrate – or even just visit – legally have to wait in line forever because so many people have cut the line and snuck in illegally.
rrgg@none.com:
I’m not sure why some portray this as something bad. The Brazilian economy has changed a lot in 10 years, enough to bring people back to the country. (This is all regardless of any recent credit crisis in the US). That is good news.
Kirsten:
I agree…that is great news for Brazil!
Jess:
I am a manager at a Italian restaurant in Boston, is very hard to find people now. We put a add in the news paper, 4 people came, we did a background check, was terrible. We already closed one shift because we dont have workers. I just dont know what is going to happen going forward. Not only brasilians are leaving, Irish,Indians and chinese.
Boston Chinatown need workers too.
Jess
Mislene:
I’m Brazilian, 30 years old, living legally in the USA for 4 years and just got my second college degree.
I can’t wait to go back to Brazil! Life in America isn’t easy at all! I’ve been looking for a job in the communication field for about 4 months and can’t find anything!
Life is also hard in Brazil, but at least it’s easy to get a good job and we have tons of fun.
Brazil has a lot to offer to everyone and things are getting better and better.
In America we don’t have the opportunity of getting good jobs even if we have good education. The only jobs available for immigrants are as painters, babysitters, construction workers, landscaping, etc. That’s not fair!
Can’t wait to have a REAL life with all my friends and family members!
Cassia Goncalves:
I totally agree that many Brazilians are living the country. I am happy that they are returning to Brazil. At least immigrants in Brazil are treated with dignity. I hope Brazil will take care of all the Brazilian immigrants like the Brazilian government treat others immigrants in Brazil. Many educated Brazilian are in the United States cleaning floor, washing dishes, and not able to save enough money anymore. Go home my brothers and sisters Brazil is a real paradize with peace and prosperity for all.
Andre:
I’m a 25 year old teacher in Rio de Janeiro and love it here. Even though I do wanna travel to the States to improve my English and visit all those great places like New York, San Francisco, etc the thought about working in America hasn’t crossed my mind. Being in a foreign country working illegally might be a terrible feeling. Being away from family for such a long time with all the restrictions placed on ya, I mean, this is too much for a person to handle. If you are studious and really want to succeed in Brazil, then you have to persevere and hopefully you will get what you want, like anywhere else. I wouldn’t live in America. Immigrants aren’t treated fairly especially those who don’t know the language. I see light at the end of the tunnel for Brazil… It’s a marvelous place to live and people are hospitable, so no matter where you are, you’re always gonna be welcome, even if you’re from the States! We just love diversity 🙂
xyz:
The main reason they are leaving its because its getting harder to get a free ride and live of others.
In Europe we so many most of them prostitutes, male and female, lots of drug addicts, and lots of hardened criminals released on prupose by their government so others have to put up with the problem. They are becoming well known for this reasons and are considered undesireble. THEY NEED TO GO HOME.
They are costing absurd amounts of maney to the others trying to make it. Ex: Prostitues quickly get pregnant here to live of wellfare then they demand c sections, very expensive care, so the body doesn’t stretch as much. This needs to be exposed and others need to know what’s really happening.
Russ:
I am an American was has stayed in Brazil six months out of the year for the last two on a tourist Visa. I have applied for a permanent Visa under the apostenado rule. This states that foreigners over the age of 55 need to show “an official monthly pension” of over $2,000.
Very few Americans have pensions at all, and even fewer over this amount. Social Security typically is about $1,200 after age 65. IRAs and 401k don’t count, and neither does possessing a large stash of savings or wealth.
I have no official pension, and submitted broker’s statements showing balances of over a million dollars. Brazil was not at all impressed with this, and apparently felt I might be a burden on the state and denied my application.
Some say this is just reciprocity for American policy to which I say nonsense, it is more stupidity than anything else. There are over a million Brazilians living permanently in the US, and only 60,000 Americans in Brazil.
craig:
An american’s take on Brazilian pizza
http://www.worstpizza.com/2009/06/pizza-express-brazilian-pizza-deerfield-beach/
Leo Bonneville:
Russ:
I feel for ya, American and Brazilian diplomacy needs to be better with more cooperation between the two to ensure that all qualified people get priority when it comes to residency.
I’m Brazilian who moved to America as a kid, it doesn’t make sense to me the stance Brazil has on Americans, they should be lucky enough for an American to want permanent residence in Brazil.
Looking forward I imagine things will be different, Brazil needs all the educated people they can get, at least until they have enough decency to provide education to ALL citizens.
Jim A:
Having been a painter in an affluent suburb of Boston for many years. College educated and white. I had an OK business going. It paid the bills, a mortgage 2 kids and of course a wife. I paid my taxes insurance etc. Then all of a sudden Brazilians started showing up mostly illegal. Every one of them a painter it seemed like. Cutting prices by 50% or more, how can a customer resist this low pricing. They couldn’t. Of course the illegal competition didn’t pay taxes or insurance, they did poor quality work, payed under the table etc. It destroyed the market not only for me but for them also. I have barely survived. Now it is 2010 and a lot of Brazilians are going home. Good for me and my family and for them. They came to exploit and they did. My son served a mission to Brazil for our church for 2 years. we supported him financially and are proud of him. I have a good Brazilan friend who came here for a better life for his kids. He is working at a pizza shop 60 70 hours a week. I admire him he is here legally. I had over 12 Brazillain men living next door to me for over 2 years. The property was destroyed, drunken parties cars on the lawn they didn’t care. No women around all thier families back in Brazil they abandon thier wives and kids for money. Not good.
Jane:
I feel sad reading most of the comments here. I am Brazilian. I have a bachelor degree from an American University and pursuing a master degree also from an American Univerity. I have been in the US for almost 12 years. I am legal, I work and I pay taxes. The only thing I have to say here is that there are all kinds of people all over the world. There are good people and bad people everywhere and it does not matter where they come from. I have seen some Americans in Rio de Janeiro being drank and loud too, as well as English,Germans, Italians and you name it. I guess that this is one of features of human behavior just anywhere in the world when they do not have manners and it does not matter where they come from.