Continuing to reflect on the Seminar

Dr McIllwaine, first on the right

The fourth presentation for the first panel was by Dr. Cathy McIllwaine, Queen Mary’s, University of London. It was another presentation which was full of data, which I tried to scribble down as best as possible, below are what I could remember.

Dr. McIllwaine was presenting initial findings of a research into Latin American Community in London of which contains many Brazilians.

• Difficulties in estimating the size of the Latin American population, but the survey included 130 Brazilians.

• 67% were aged between 18-39 and 35% between 30-39.

• 46% arrived after 2005.

• Brazilian migration peaks 2003-2005.

• Relatively well educated but with low levels of English (only 33% could read and write.)

• Entry 45% tourist visa 28.5% student 21% EU. Currently 35% are undocumented, 30% have EU passports (no indication how many are genuine) and 13% are married to European citizens.

• In terms of State of origin in Brazil Sao Paulo (30%) Goias (11%) and Parana (11%) are the most significant.

• In terms of cities Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Goiania most significant.

• Location in London shows wide dispersal with Tower Hamlets and Lambeth being the most significant.

• Reason for coming mainly economic.

• Significance of social network in choosing to come to London.

• 85% on arrival worked first in elementary jobs, at time of interview this was still at 60%. 22% earning less than the national minimum wage and 42% claiming to face problems at work.

• 98% in touch with family at home. 68% send money back to brazil. In average send £7049 p.a. The main purpose of remittances is for family maintenance, paying debt and buying things.

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Daniel Clark, first on the left.

The third presentation for the first panel was by Daniel Clark (aka me). Rather than wearing my GEB hat I was there as a Baptist pastor and focused on some issues which most surface at a church level. These included the quest for dignity for Brazilian migrants, especially, although not exclusively undocumented migrants. I also discussed about some of the challenges that families faced and also the issue of returning to Brazil. I discussed the idea of a paradigmatic return narrative, the success story of triumphing in the UK and returning to Brazil having bought one’s house and how many find it difficult to fulfil.

Seminar Part 2

Gabriela Boing, first on the left, presented data from the IOM on the return of Brazilians

The second presentation on the first panel was by Gabriela Boing, communications officer for the International Office for Migration. As the picture is evidence of, I spent much of my time scribbling away so the following is as much as I can recollect, other contributions are most welcome.

Much of the presentation discussed the Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants Programme (AVRIM).

Brazilians are the most represented nationality and their participation is increasing.

2009: 627 cases

2008: 481

2007: 339

2006: 289

In terms of total returns through the IOM Brazil came second to Iraq, although most of the Iraqi returns were of failed asylum seekers.

Statistics were also provided for some of the years, I managed to pick up the following.

• 2005: 110 left due to expired visas, 17 irregular entries. 92 were based in London. 102 were single. 16 were couples. 8 were families of three people, 1 was a family of five. Mostly men, in terms of age clustering between 20-40.

• 2006: 195 visa expired; 39 irregular; 202 London; 201 single; 17 couples; 12 family of three; 3 family of four; 1 family of five; cluster 20-29.

• 2007: 184 visa expired; 50 irregular; 157 London; 176 single; 37 couples; 17 family of 3; 2 family of men; cluster men 20-39

Reflections on the II Seminar

Carlos Mellinger Holding the List of Problems the Brazilian Community faces

Starting with this post, we will begin a series of reflections on the II Seminar organised by GEB to promote a dialogue with the Brazilian Community. This seminar consisted of two panels and a poster presentation session.

For the first panel, the first speaker was Carlos Mellinger of the Casa do Brasil London, whose contribution was based on a sheet of paper circulated amongst the audience with the most significant problems faced by the Brazilian community in the United Kingdom.

The most interesting parts of the presentation which stuck in my memory were:

• Cases of Brazilians arrested despite the fact that they have dual nationality as because they do not speak English they are not able to explain themselves to authority. Often this results in them having to spend the night in Jail.
• • Brazilians do not remain unemployed for long. Casa do Brasil indicates employers.
• • No high incidence of prostitution or people trafficking.
• • Serious problems occur with landlords.
• • Estimates that 60% of the Brazilians are without documents but many are regularising. This results in serious problems as that leaves them without access to GP and often forced to pay hospital fees in case of emergency.
• • Serious problems of acting out of law.
• • When Brazilians are exploited by fellow Brazilians Casa do Brasil faces the challenge of protecting the individual with the negative impact that calling in the authority may have on the wider community.
• • Complains of discrimination by other groups and by the state.