Senate approves public hearing to debate changes to the Migration Law

The Social Issues Commission has approved an application made by civil society for a public hearing to debate the proposal for reversals in the Migration Law

Federal Senate of Brazil Draft bill 1.928 under discussion on Wednesday at the Social Issues Commission in the Senate (Photo: Geraldo Magela/Agência Senado)

On Wednesday, 7 August, following a request by civil society, the CAS (Social Issues Commission) in the Senate approved the application for a public hearing to debate draft bill 1.928, with proposed changes in the Migration Law (13.445/2017). The bill may be voted today by the Commission and will now have to be debated in a hearing so senators may place informed votes.

The bill was created to suggest temporary visa concessions for young migrants wishing to work in Brazil.  When a text is subjected to proposed changes that are unrelated to the original theme, this is known as a ‘tortoise amendment’ (emenda jabuti). There are changes in Senator Fernando Bezerra’s (MDB-PE) amendment to the Migration Law that represent a serious reversal, including either forbidding entry or deporting people who are suspected of involvement in terrorist practices, without a full investigation. 

The bill is in the final stages of the Senate commission. If it is approved it will be passed to the Chamber. Following the requests of organisations like Conectas and Missão Paz, Senator Paulo Paim (PT-RS) registered an application for a public hearing to debate these changes and this was accepted on Wednesday by the Commission.

A date has not been set for the hearing but it should happen in the coming weeks.