Brazilian Fugitive Convicted of Murder Apprehended by ERO Boston in Massachusetts

Boston, MA - In a successful operation, Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested a 50-year-old Brazilian fugitive with a murder conviction in his home country. The foreign national, confirmed as an active member of Brazil's largest criminal gang organization, Primeiro Comando Da Capital (PCC), was apprehended in Somerville, Massachusetts on May 23.

Having unlawfully entered the United States near San Luiz, Arizona in March 2023, the fugitive was initially apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. After withholding information about his murder conviction, he was placed into removal proceedings and served a notice to appear before an immigration judge.

Field Office Director Todd Lyons of ERO Boston emphasized, "Foreign fugitives, like this Brazilian noncitizen, who are evading justice will not find safe harbor in our communities." He praised the dedicated officers of ERO Boston for their commitment to apprehending individuals who pose a threat to public safety and ensuring their removal from the community and the nation.

The apprehended Brazilian gang member boasts an extensive and violent criminal history, including convictions for attempted murder, robbery, and aggravated assault on a police officer in Brazil. Investigations revealed that he had deliberately withheld information about his prior criminal convictions during interviews with U.S. Border Patrol.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, overseen by the Justice Department's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Immigration judges make decisions based on individual cases, determining if a noncitizen is subject to removal or eligible for relief from removal. Once a noncitizen receives a final order of removal, issued by an immigration judge or through other lawful means, ICE officers can carry out the removal.

ERO officers exercise enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing the protection of the homeland and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws. Their actions reflect their experience as law enforcement officials, ensuring professionalism and responsibility.

In the fiscal year 2022, ERO made 46,396 arrests of noncitizens with criminal histories. These individuals were associated with 198,498 charges and convictions, including assault offenses (21,531), sex and sexual assault offenses (8,164), weapons offenses (5,554), homicide-related offenses (1,501), and kidnapping offenses (1,114).

The arrest of the Brazilian fugitive underscores the ongoing efforts of ERO to uphold the law, protect communities, and maintain the integrity of the immigration system.