During US Vice President Mike Pence Visit, Brazil and US Exchange Demands Regarding Immigrants

06/27/2018 - 10h57

In light of the tension that has arisen after 51 Brazilian children were detained and separated from their parents in the United States, US Vice President Mike Pence insisted that Brazil make greater efforts to resolve the immigration crisis in the region and isolate the Maduro regime in Venezuela.

The posture of US Vice President Pence - the first high-ranking member of the Trump administration to visit the country ever since he took office 17 months ago - did not please the Brazilian government.

In a statement issued to the press after meeting with Brazilian President Michel Temer, Mike Pence said that the American government has been working hard to reunite families.

	Foto: Renato Costa/FramePhoto/Folhapress
	Brazilian President Michel Temer and US Vice President Mike Pence

Ever since the Trump administration started implementing its zero-tolerance immigration policy in April, more than 2,300 children have been detained and separated from their families.

President Temer said that the detention of Brazilian children is a sensitive, concerning and urgent issue. But he avoided criticizing the United States' new immigration policy.

On Tuesday morning, the US government also shared documents belonging to the Department of Homeland Security with Brazil in order to cross reference the information and expedite the tracking down of Brazilians.

Vice President Pence said that all of the countries in the region need to help ensure the stability of countries that neighbor the US in order to guarantee that citizens from such countries don't flee.

"That's why I'd like to tell our ally Brazil: it's time for you to do more," Pence said.

His tone caused discomfort within the Brazilian government, which wasn't expecting demands, rather promises to solve issues surrounding Brazilian children who have been detained.

Translated by THOMAS MATHEWSON

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