(Illegal) Brazilians Giving Up Their American Dream

New York Times ^ | December 4, 2007 | Nina Bernstein and Elizabeth Dwoskin

[reaganaut1]

...

That decision — to give up on life in the United States — is being made by more and more Brazilians across the country, according to consular officials, travel agencies swamped by one-way ticket bookings, and community leaders in the neighborhoods that Brazilian immigrants have transformed, from Boston to Pompano Beach, Fla.

No one can say how many are leaving. But in the last half year, the reverse migration has become unmistakable among Brazilians in the United States, a population estimated at 1.1 million by Brazil’s government — four to five times the official census figures.

To explain an often wrenching decision to pull up stakes, homeward-bound Brazilians point to a rising fear of deportation and a slumping American economy. Many cite the expiration of driver’s licenses that can no longer be renewed under tougher rules, coupled with the steep drop in the value of the dollar against the currency of Brazil, where the economy has improved.

“You put it all together, and why should you stay in an environment like that if you have a place like Brazil, where there’s hope, a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train to run you over?” said Pedro Coelho, a businessman in Mount Vernon, N.Y., who is known as the mayor of Brazilians in Westchester County. “Are they leaving? Yes, by the hundreds.”

In Massachusetts, says Fausto da Rocha, the founder of the Boston-area Brazilian Immigrant Center, his compatriots — many here illegally — are leaving by the thousands, some after losing homes in the subprime mortgage crisis. In New York and New Jersey, travel agents and others who sell airline seats say that one-way bookings to Brazil have more than doubled since last year, to about 150 daily from Kennedy International Airport ...

[dynachrome]

I like happy stories.

[MattinNJ]

I know why-and it's none of the above. I used to work in construction while going through school and used day laborers all the time. They all worked hard and I never had a problem with any of them. Unfortunately, I was unaware of the damage I was doing.

Now that I am all grown up, I will not allow any contractors, including landscapers, to work on my house if they use illegal immigrants. Multiply that by tens of millions of patriotic Americans.

[Caipirabob]

“You put it all together, and why should you stay in an environment like that if you have a place like Brazil, where there’s hope, a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train to run you over?”

T'Chau, chato...

[ConservativeMind]

In Massachusetts, says Fausto da Rocha, the founder of the Boston-area Brazilian Immigrant Center, his compatriots — many here illegally — are leaving by the thousands, some after losing homes in the subprime mortgage crisis.

Nice to see they further added to our collective woes while here illegally.

What did they think could be accomplished when here illegally, knowing they could be kicked out at any moment?

Idiots.

[stephenjohnbanker]

BUMP

[Mojohemi]

I’d vote for Duncan Hunter in a heart beat.
If Conservatives want a lead pipe cinch they better get hehind Duncan Hunter!! The rest of the field is a non starter

[Trailerpark Badass]

“You put it all together, and why should you stay in an environment like that if you have a place like Brazil, where there’s hope, a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train to run you over?” said Pedro Coelho, a businessman in Mount Vernon, N.Y., who is known as the mayor of Brazilians in Westchester County.

Brazil, a place called "Hope!"

Can't say I'll miss them.

[Tax-chick]

I think it’s terrific for Brazilians to live in Brazil.

[elpadre]

they would be welcome back if they would just return to Brazil, make proper application and then patiently wait for their turn to immigrate - legally!

[stephenjohnbanker]

“I think it’s terrific for Brazilians to live in Brazil”

LOL!

[Tax-chick]

Well, you know ...

They’re not coming here for the warm weather, naked women, or Carnival. If Brazil is looking up, and the U.S. is looking worse, it’s a great outcome for everyone.

[monkeycard]

Bye then!

[silentreignofheroes]

“You put it all together, and why should you stay in an environment like that (no more good free/easy stuff) if you have a place like Brazil, where there’s hope, a light at the end of the tunnel and it’s not a train to run you over?”

Sounds logical to me,,wonder how many illegals,,,stories like this are keeping out..?

[HardStarboard]

The New York Times prints a “good news” story? Stunning!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

BUMP

[T. Jefferson]

Four years ago the Real was 4 to 1 dollar. Now it's under 2. Meanwhile their stock market is up 600% in 5 years. The US is no longer financially attractive. I've dated several Brazilian girls with accounting degrees, who left $6000 a year jobs and came here and make $25K tax free a year as nannies. It was great for them while it lasted.

It was great for me while they lasted. : )

[shield]

This is nothing new...if it’s not worth working in this country...these illegals go home. If the economy is off here...no jobs no illegals...

[TheLion]

"four to five times the official census figures"

Just more proof that there are probably at least 4 to 5 times more illegals here than the government estimates.

Further is proof that if we crack down and cut off the freebees, they will self deport....as we have been saying for a long time.

[isrul]

They don’t think they should have wait. Just yesterday there was an article about legal ones who were whining about having to wait. The seem to forget the fact that they are fortunate just to be here. They want more and they want it now. They are not like those previous generations of immigrants who built this country.