In a striking turn of events, a prominent Brazilian social media influencer known for his vocal support of former US President Donald Trump has been apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Jersey. Júnior Pena, whose full name is Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, was reportedly taken into custody and placed at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark over the weekend.
From Trump Supporter to Detainee
Pena, who has reportedly resided in the United States since 2009, gained attention through his TikTok and Instagram accounts, where he shares content purporting to depict "the reality of the United States" from a migrant's perspective. In a recent video message to his hundreds of thousands of followers, he openly declared his allegiance to Donald Trump, stating, "I [support] Donald Trump – I like the guy." His social media presence also includes echoing stories of migrants while criticising Brazil's left-wing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and showing support for the country's former far-right leader, Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of Trump.
Controversial Claims and Consequences
Prior to his arrest, Pena made false assertions in a video regarding ICE's operations, urging Brazilians not to "despair" after reports of migrants being rounded up. He inaccurately claimed, "But they're all crooks. The lot of them," referring to those being seized. According to sources, his detention followed a missed court hearing, with his lawyer, Andrew Lattarulo, working to resolve the situation and prevent a transfer to another state. Friends have since posted messages asking for prayers, while left-wing Brazilians have flocked to his Instagram to mock his predicament, with comments such as "You supported Trump and in the end you suffered the consequences" and "What goes around comes around."
Broader Impact on Brazilian Community
This incident highlights the broader effects of Trump's immigration policies on the estimated 2 million-strong Brazilian community in the US. Last year, deportations of Brazilians reached a record high of 2,785, up from 1,640 in 2024, indicating a significant crackdown. Brazilian magazine Veja recently described a "veritable manhunt" under Trump, warning of an atmosphere of fear where anyone who "looks foreign" could be targeted, regardless of immigration status. In response, migrants in cities like Boston have adopted survival tactics, such as avoiding speaking Portuguese in public and dressing to blend in as "average Americans."
Hailing from Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais—a region with high emigration rates to the US and Europe—Pena's case underscores the complex realities faced by migrants amid shifting political landscapes. As his legal proceedings unfold, his arrest serves as a poignant reminder of the personal risks associated with political advocacy in the volatile realm of US immigration enforcement.
