Mr. Rajendra Bhattarai   reporter

Kathmandu 28 August / At São Paulo airport in Brazil, 176 Nepalis have been stranded. The Nepalese Embassy in Brazil has reported that a total of 700 people, including 176 Nepalis, are stranded at the airport.

It has been stated that most of them ended up there while attempting to enter the United States through illegal routes. The Nepalese Embassy in Brazil has requested that those stranded at the airport who have valid reasons and documents should obtain an exit permit before leaving Brazil.

Lured by human traffickers and having paid large sums of money, nearly 700 migrants, including 176 Nepalis attempting to reach the United States through illegal routes, have been stranded at São Paulo International Airport in Brazil for about a week.

A press release issued by the Nepalese Embassy in Brazil today mentioned that all the stranded Nepalis are safe. Due to an increasing number of Nepalis under Brazilian control seeking to become refugees in Brazil and then entering the United States through various countries, Brazil has changed its immigration policies.

The embassy has stated that Brazil has introduced a rule allowing only those holding a passport with a valid entry permit to enter the country.

The new law states that one can directly fly to their destination country via Brazil, and if not, they will be sent back on the same flight, but no refugee status will be granted at the airport. Because of this amended law, around 700 migrants are currently stranded at the airport.

Those who reached Brazil intending to enter the United States through traffickers may be sent back to their respective countries by Brazil within a few days.