Brazil: Federal police stop issuing passports June 28

Event

On Tuesday, June 28, the Federal Police announced that they would no longer accept new applications for passports due to budgetary issues. According to police officials, the office has depleted all available funds in its budget for immigration and travel documents and will not be able to restore services until additional funds are approved. The government has requested an additional USD 31 million from Congress, which is expected to be debated starting on Wednesday, June 29. It is unclear when passport services will return to normal.

Context

Some prosecutors claim that the government is intentionally trying to prevent corruption investigations by the police by cutting their budgets. The Federal Police are currently investigating a case involving business and political elites and the state oil company Petrobras.

President Michel Temer was officially charged with corruption by the Prosecutor General on Monday, June 26. Temer is accused of accepting a USD 152,000 bribe from Brazilian businessman Joesley Batista on March 7. The charges assert that Temer was promised a further USD 11,000,000. Former President Dilma Rousseff was herself impeached and removed from office on August 31, 2016, on accusations of manipulating the federal budget for the sake of masking the country's plunging economy.

Recent corruption allegations affecting Temer and his administration have increased popular discontent and deepened an already acute political crisis. A recorded conversation of President Temer purportedly showing him discussing the payment of hush money to a jailed politician led to the opening of a formal probe by the Supreme Court on May 19. The scandal has sparked various protests and prompted eight impeachment filings. Temer has reiterated that he will not step down.

Advice

Potentially impacted Brazilian nationals are advised to contact the Federal Police or their local diplomatic mission for additional information.