Identical twins receive opposing racial quota results in Brazil police exam

Identical twins participating in the Civil Police of Espírito Santo recruitment process have received conflicting results regarding racial quota eligibility. While Naiara Mendes Ferreira was deemed eligible under the heteroidentification process, her identical twin, Natália Mendes Ferreira, was rejected despite both candidates self-declaring as Black.

The evaluation, conducted by the Instituto Brasileiro de Apoio e Desenvolvimento Executivo (Ibade), relies on phenotypic characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and facial features. Natália reported that the organizing body provided only a generic justification for her rejection, citing a lack of compatible phenotypic traits, without specifying which features led to the decision.

Natália has expressed her intention to appeal the decision administratively and may seek legal recourse if the outcome is not reversed. She noted that the situation affects more than just her individual case, highlighting potential inequities in the assessment process for other candidates.