Refugee policy in Brazil constitutes an underexplored case study in the field of forced migration, given that researchers often focus on developed and developing countries that receive large refugee flows. Brazil has been investing more in this policy, since the country has been hosting a growing number of refugees and has been considered an emerging resettlement country in the developing world. Not only governmental agencies take part in refugee policy in Brazil, but also civil society institutions and international organizations such as Caritas and the United Nations High Commissioner for the Refugees. This article aims to discuss the refugee policy adopted in Brazil especially during Cardoso (1995-2002) and Lula da Silva (2003-2010) Governments. The Brazilian refugee policy was analysed based on: internal and external factors; the relations between State and non-State actors; the rules of entry and the living conditions provided to the refugees in the country. The article argues that Brazil's refugee policy has focused on admission policy, not shedding light on integration policy and not providing satisfactory living conditions to the refugees hosted in the country. Thus the Brazilian refugee policy can be characterized as a regulation policy, not accompanied by a properly structured immigrant policy in the country. © Author(s) [2017].

Refugee policy Brazil resettlement Local integration

immigration policy Brazil refugee civil society relocation developing world forced migration living standard international organization