Crisis and normalcy in migratory flows in Corumbá, MS (2018-2022)

Abstract

In the context of crisis migration, drawing on administrative records from the Federal Police (PF) on the entry of international migrants, this study discusses migratory flows from 2018 to 2022 in Corumbá-MS, on the Brazil-Bolivia border. During this period, the global crisis spread by the pandemic affected us in different ways (health-related, economic, and political), compounding pre-existing national crises in Haiti, Venezuela, and other countries. Bibliographic references were consulted and federal police officers were interviewed in order to interpret the statistical data collected at the Land Migration Point in Corumbá (PMTC), run by the PF. In addition, drawing on the authors' own experience, the reception given to pendular and transit migrants in the city of Corumbá is discussed. Historically, entry records through the PMTC reflect normalcy rather than crisis, given the city's border condition.