Brazil To Grant Visas To Fleeing Haitian Refugees

A top Brazilian official says the nation will grant visas to thousands of Haitians who have arrived in remote areas of the Amazon recently seeking work.

Justice Minister Jose Eduardo Cardozo says Brazil will grant work visas to 2,400 Haitians who are stuck in two Amazon border towns. He says another 1,600 Haitians in Brazil have been given visas already.

The Haitians arrived seeking work in Brazil's expanding economy. Demand for manual labour is increasing for projects related to the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics.

Cardozo said yesterday there will be more policing of Brazil's borders with Colombia, Peru and Bolivia, where the Haitians are crossing. That means Brazil will turn away new arrivals.