For migrants in Brazil, an important step towards accessing their full rights is to gain citizenship. This status affords someone the right to vote, to leave and visit their country of origin, and – for many – means being largely free of the stigma associated with being a refugee. The process of applying for citizenship, however, is not easy.
Some people are excluded from the process
"To obtain naturalisation, the applicant is required to provide a series of documents and pass a language proficiency test in Portuguese. This test is offered only twice a year, at a cost of R$230 (£36.50). There is no other way to demonstrate language knowledge, so it excludes people with hearing impairments and people who are illiterate. Such exclusion does not respect the premise that everyone is equal before the law, and it prevents them from achieving their right to naturalisation."
I had to start all over again
“The thing that holds me back to this day is the naturalisation process. I applied for it online during the middle of the pandemic, but I couldn't continue the process because the federal police said that documents were missing, such as proof of Portuguese language proficiency and my passport. I said, ‘Wow, what passport? I'm a refugee from my country, I don't have a passport from there.’ I went back to CONARE [National Committee for Refugees] to prove that I am a refugee, and then sent in the application for naturalisation again. This time the process stopped due to a change of address, because I keep moving between houses. Then I had to start all over again. I got to a point where I said, 'You know what? I do not want it anymore!’”
I need to visit my country
“I applied for naturalisation in August 2020. I paid a lawyer to do it for me. I need to be naturalised so I can go and visit my country. I need to go back to see my family. But I'm still waiting. The process is too long.”
It's time-consuming
“In my case, the only thing missing is the criminal record. To get this file takes a while, because it has to come from my country. I already missed the first deadline. The most energy and time-consuming thing in this process is the bureaucracy.”
Naturalisation changes everything
“I believe that the naturalisation process changes everything. When you take that document out of your wallet you can say: respect me, ok? I'm Brazilian! I demand respect now.”
To accompany this series, Missão Paz has also produced a legal support guide for migrants in Brazil. It offers helpful advice on a range of topics – from rights and immigration status to dealing with xenophobia, racism and hate crimes – as well as contact details for migrant support services in the country.
