The church: business, shelter to Brazilians abroad

ABOUT THIS ARTICLE: The rise of the Evangelical church in Brazil has spread to immigrant colonies in the U.S., and performs an even more important nurturing function than it does in the homeland. Illegal immigrants feel not only alone, but threatened by authorities and a murky immigration policy. Several people agreed to talk to me mostly, I think, because I spoke their native Portuguese.

SUN-SENTINEL
July 5, 2006
Brazilian immigrants turn to churches for help during uncertainty on immigration policy
By Ana Ribeiro

Pompano Beach · With an oversized Brazilian flag stretched out behind him, the Rev. Silair de Almeida urged prayer for people who have been deported or dread a removal order from immigration authorities.

"God is behind your life," Almeida recently told the Sunday congregation at Primeira Igreja Batista Brasileira (First Brazilian Baptist Church). "When God closes a door on us, it's because he has a better door."

As they await changes in U.S. immigration policy, many Brazilians in South Florida fear for themselves or loved ones. Seeking spiritual and social guidance, they flock to Brazilian churches such as Almeida's, where the pastor tells them the stalled debate over immigration in Congress is a test of patience that requires great faith.

The crowded church drank up his words and replied with shouts of "Amen, Senhor!" ("Amen, Lord!").

For months, Congress has struggled to reach an agreement on immigration. A House bill passed in December would make felons of immigrants who are in the United States illegally. The Senate's bill would offer permanent residence to roughly 8.3 million people without documents. Both bills would strengthen border enforcement.

"Their anxiety is enormous, tremendous," Marcelo Gondim, an immigration paralegal in Lighthouse Point, said of Brazilian immigrants. "They feel a lot of uncertainty regarding their future."

Before Congress began its debate, Gondim largely met with clients not in the country legally. Since then, he said, many have been legal immigrants requesting information on the possible legislation. Those in the country without documents prefer to wait to see what Congress will decide, he said.

While a 2004 U.S. Census survey estimates there are 34,126 Brazilians in South Florida, unofficial estimates put the population at 270,000.

For many of these immigrants, Brazilian churches perform an important social function, said João Almino, Brazil's consul general in Miami.

"These churches help create bonds that are necessary for people in a foreign country," Almino said. "They have a dual role, because they help people maintain their identity but also facilitate their integration locally."

Almeida said the 2,000-member Primeira Igreja Batista provides food, clothing, job networking services and even cars for those who cannot afford them. It also provides space for the Brazilian Consulate, which visits the church on Tuesdays to collect passport renewal forms and other documents.

During Hurricane Wilma, the church served 8,000 meals, he said.

"When Brazilians arrive here in a foreign land, they're open to all kinds of help and also change," Almeida said. "Since the church can offer not only spiritual, but also emotional and social help, they treat the church as part of their family in America."

There are about 80 Brazilian churches in South Florida, most affiliated with evangelical denominations, said Laine Furtado, publisher of the Portuguese-language Christian magazine Linha Aberta (Open Line).

Furtado said evangelical churches are becoming increasingly popular in Brazil and among Brazilians abroad because, unlike Catholic churches, they do not need clerical approval or chapels to operate.

Many are run out of rented spaces in strip malls or other churches.

"These churches are more accessible," said Furtado, who attends the Church of All Nations in Boca Raton.

Igreja Renascer em Cristo (Rebirth in Christ Church), a storefront church in Deerfield Beach, is part of a group that owns 1,500 churches, a TV network and several radio stations in Brazil.

Angelita Vale, the local church's lead pastor, said her church aims to "restore lives and bring lives to God." But her church offers immigrants information on their rights and obligations in American society and also helps them find jobs.

"It's clear that people in general only turn to the church when they have some sort of problem," said Ana Flávia Zuim Moretto, 25, of Coconut Creek. "I've noticed people getting closer to God because of the immigration issue."

Moretto, who left Brazil for the United States three years ago, calls it a miracle that she obtained a student visa from the U.S. Consulate in São Paulo, Brazil, and a few months ago, a green card. A member and organist at Igreja Renascer em Cristo, she said God helped her survive, and prevail.

"I couldn't have done this alone," Moretto said.