Brasília – Brazil’s 2.516/15 bill, which creates the Law of Migrations, was approved on Tuesday (6) at a Chamber of Deputies plenary session. The new law stipulates the rights and duties of immigrants and tourists, regulates their entry and stay in the country, and lays down public policy guidelines regarding migrants.
Migration Law principles include ensuring immigrants equal status with nationals, the inviolability of the right to life, freedom, equality, safety and property, and access to public health and education services, as well as access to the documentation required in order to join the workforce and the right to social security. Immigrants may also fill public servant positions, except those for natural-born Brazilians only.
The Senate’s original draft bill has been altered, hence the new vote. If approved, the bill will replace the Statute of Foreigners, which dates from 1980, as well as lead to the revocation of the Law of Nationality (818/49).
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
