A política institucional da Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul-UFFS para imigrantes

Abstract

This study analyzes the institutional policy of the Federal University of the Southern Frontier (UFFS) aimed at welcoming and retaining immigrant students, with emphasis on the PRÓ- IMIGRANTE Program, established by Resolution nº 16/CONSUNI/UFFS/2019. The research is based on the contemporary context of international migratory flows to Brazil, intensified since 2010, which brought populations mainly from Venezuela, Haiti, and Bolivia, demanding effective inclusion strategies from the Brazilian State and its institutions. In this scenario, UFFS, located in a border region and with a social mission focused on democratizing higher education, emerges as a strategic space for the enforcement of immigrants’ educational rights. The central research problem consists of understanding to what extent the institutional policy of the university has been effective in promoting access and retention of migrant students, considering their linguistic, cultural, economic, and psychosocial challenges. The study adopts a qualitative approach, combining bibliographical and documentary analysis with the application of a questionnaire to students enrolled in the program, articulating theory, legislation, and lived experiences. The investigation is grounded in national and international legal frameworks, such as the 1988 Federal Constitution, Law nº 9.474/1997 (Refugee Statute), and Law nº 13.445/2017 (Migration Law), which guarantee universal access to education. In addition, theoretical contributions on immigration from the perspective of human rights, interculturality, and social justice are mobilized, highlighting the tensions between normative advances and the practical obstacles faced in the academic environment. Findings also point to the need to expand the active participation of immigrant students in the formulation and evaluation of policies, in order to strengthen their protagonism and ensure greater alignment with their real demands. The study concludes that UFFS’s policy presents relevant achievements by formally recognizing the rights of migrants and implementing mechanisms of inclusion in higher education, but still faces structural and operational limitations that compromise its full effectiveness. This research contributes to the national debate on educational public policies for migrant populations and to the reflection on the social role of public universities in contexts of cultural diversity and international mobility, offering insights for institutional improvement and the development of more inclusive and sustainable practices.