Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: A total of 176 Nepalis stranded in transit in Brazil are reported to be safe.
The Embassy of Nepal in Brasilia issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming the safety and well-being of the Nepalis who are stuck at São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport airport.
The embassy also mentioned that it is prepared to provide humanitarian assistance as needed.
The embassy’s statement comes following news reports that 700 foreign nationals, including Nepalis, were detained in transit at São Paulo airport.
According to an embassy official, these individuals might have reached São Paulo while attempting to illegally enter the United States through various routes across South American countries, including Brazil.
Human traffickers often arrange for people to reach Mexico via a combination of sea, land and air routes before smuggling them into the United States. While some complete the journey quickly, others may take five to six months. They sometimes end up stranded at various transit points.
The embassy has also warned that many Nepali youths are lured by the false promises and encouragement of organized human traffickers, leading them to pursue these dangerous routes. Many have faced unimaginable hardships and have had to spend large sums of money. The embassy has urged people not to fall prey to such schemes.
Furthermore, the embassy clarified that new regulations have been implemented for Nepali travelers intending to transit through Brazil to a third country. “The Brazilian government has introduced a new rule, effective immediately, requiring Nepali passport holders and certain other countries to have a valid visa for entry into Brazil,” the embassy stated.
The Brazilian government has made it clear that Nepalis with a visa will be allowed to continue their journey, while those without visa will be sent back on the same flight, with no refugee status granted at the airport.
Ambassador Nirmal Raj Kafle has appealed to Nepalis not to risk their lives by falling for the false promises of human traffickers. He has advised against traveling to Brazil without a valid reason or visa.
