In Assis Brasil, Brazil, numerous migrants are residing in a mosquito-infested shelter in the Amazon, put in a holding pattern by President Joe Biden’s ban on asylum. Johany “Flaca” Rodríguez, 48, from Venezuela, had hoped to leave behind her hardships but has postponed her journey due to the challenging path to the U.S. that others have warned her about.
These migrants, along with authorities and analysts, suggest that Biden’s policy changes have led to a cautious approach among migrants in Latin America’s largest economy for the time being. This has added strain on local communities along the migrant routes as they struggle to meet the escalating needs of the new arrivals.
Despite the discomforts of the shelter, Rodríguez, accompanied by her dog Kiko, decided to spend some time with friends in Rio Grande do Sul while awaiting safer conditions for her journey. She embarked on a two-day, 100-kilometer walk to a nearby city with hopes of earning enough money to continue her trip towards the U.S.
Brazil has observed various migrant groups passing through en route to North America, but many have chosen to stay in their home countries following the announcement of a crackdown by the Biden administration. The situation in Acre state sheds light on the uncertainties faced by numerous migrants, hinting at the possibility of these temporary resting spots becoming prolonged hosts.
Assis Brasil offers limited resources for migrants, with a wooden shelter, a school gymnasium, hotels, and small eateries being the main facilities in the city. Despite the challenges, migrants like Alexander Guedes Martinez from Venezuela are determined to secure a better future for their families.
Local authorities, like Acre Gov. Gladson Camelli and Assis Brasil’s Mayor Jerry Correia, are concerned about the potential rise in South American migrants and stress the need for federal intervention to address the growing humanitarian crisis.
The varied stories of migrants like Rodríguez, Guedes Martinez, and others illustrate the struggles and aspirations of those seeking refuge and opportunities in the face of evolving immigration policies and challenging circumstances in the Amazon region.
