In a striking turn of events, a prominent Brazilian social media influencer who vocally supported former US President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown has found himself detained by the very authorities he defended. Júnior Pena, whose full name is Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, was reportedly arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in New Jersey over the weekend.
From Supporter to Detainee
Pena, who has reportedly lived in the United States since 2009, used his substantial social media platforms to express strong backing for Trump's immigration policies. In a recent video message to his hundreds of thousands of followers, the influencer from Belo Horizonte declared: "I support Donald Trump – I like the guy." His accounts on TikTok and Instagram purport to show "the reality of the United States" from a migrant's perspective.
Controversial Claims About Migrants
In previous content, Pena reportedly addressed concerns among Brazilian migrants about ICE enforcement actions. He urged his compatriots to remain calm and not "despair" amid reports of agents rounding up migrants, including Brazilians. However, he made the false assertion that "they're all crooks. The lot of them" regarding those being detained.
On Saturday, the influencer was himself taken into custody and sent to the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. According to information provided to the Brazilian Times by a friend, Pena's arrest followed his failure to attend a court hearing. His lawyer, Andrew Lattarulo, is reportedly working to resolve the situation and prevent his client's transfer to another state.
Broader Context of Brazilian Migration
Pena hails from Minas Gerais, a Brazilian state with a long history as a significant exporter of migrants to both the United States and Europe. Through his social networks, he has echoed migrant stories while also voicing criticism of Brazil's left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and expressing support for the country's recently jailed former far-right leader Jair Bolsonaro, who maintains an alliance with Trump.
Impact on Brazilian Community
The estimated two million-strong Brazilian community in the United States has been profoundly affected by Trump's immigration policies. Official figures show deportations of Brazilians reached a record high of 2,785 last year, a significant increase from the 1,640 recorded in 2024.
Brazilian magazine Veja recently published a report describing a "veritable manhunt" unfolding under Trump's administration, warning readers: "There is an atmosphere of fear on the streets where anyone who 'looks foreign' can be a target ... irrespective of their immigration status." The publication detailed how Brazilian migrants in cities like Boston have adopted extreme "survival tactics," including avoiding speaking Portuguese in public and attempting to dress like "average Americans" when venturing outside.
Social Media Reactions
News of Pena's detention quickly went viral, prompting mixed reactions across social media platforms. Left-wing Brazilians flocked to his Instagram account to taunt him, with one commenter writing: "You supported Trump and in the end you suffered the consequences." Another critic posted: "What goes around comes around." Meanwhile, friends of the influencer shared messages asking followers to pray for his situation.
This case highlights the complex realities facing migrant communities in the United States and the sometimes unexpected consequences faced by those who publicly align themselves with controversial immigration policies while themselves navigating the country's immigration system.
