'Afraid to Die, Treated like Dogs': What Deported Brazilians Say - Folha de S.Paulo

The Brazilians deported from the United States who arrived at Belo Horizonte International Airport this Saturday (25) reported abuse, threats, and degrading treatment at the hands of U.S. immigration agents responsible for the flight back to Brazil.

Disembarking on Saturday night in Confins after being released by the Federal Police, several migrants said they had been handcuffed for 50 hours, with no air conditioning on the flight, and subjected to abuse by the Americans.

"Not even a dog deserved to be treated like that," said Jefferson Maia, who recounted spending two months imprisoned in the U.S. after crossing the border with Mexico. "I spent nearly 50 hours chained, not eating properly. I haven’t showered in five days."

Several deportees said they only managed to alert Brazilian authorities after opening one of the airplane's emergency doors and shouting for help from atop the wing, prompting airport staff working on the tarmac to alert the Federal Police. "We said: we’re not flying in this plane anymore, call our police, get us out of here," said Denilson José de Oliveira, 26. "I was very afraid. It felt like they were trying to kill us." According to Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, Lula’s government ordered the Brazilians' handcuffs removed as soon as the Federal Police informed them of the situation.

On Saturday night, the Itamaraty posted on social media that it would demand explanations from Donald Trump’s government regarding "the degrading treatment given to passengers on the flight."