Migration to Brazil and access to social protection: challenges and advances in the contemporary context

Abstract

International migration to Brazil has grown significantly in recent decades, highlighting challenges in migrants' access to social protection. Although the country has an advanced legal framework, such as the Migration Law (No. 13,445/2017), studies indicate gaps between formal rights and their practical implementation. This article examines the barriers faced by migrants in accessing Brazilian social policies, including the Unified Health System (SUS), the Single Registry (CadÚnico), and cash transfer programs, investigating the causes of these obstacles and proposing pathways for more equitable inclusion. The research adopted a qualitative methodology based on a systematic literature review and document analysis, encompassing academic publications and official data from 2010 to 2024. The results reveal that factors such as excessive bureaucracy, public administrators' lack of awareness about migrant rights, and regional inequalities create a scenario of "selective inclusion," where some groups access services more easily than others. The study also found that length of residence in the country and social support networks are crucial determinants for integration. The conclusion emphasizes that universalizing social protection in Brazil requires not only legal adjustments but also institutional training, continuous monitoring, and local policies sensitive to the specificities of migration flows. The study contributes to the debate by systematizing scattered evidence and proposing the concept of "hierarchy of vulnerability" to explain disparities in access to rights.