Brazilian Influencer Detained by ICE After Advocating for Trump’s Immigration Policies
New York, NY – February 3, 2026 – Júnior Pena, a Brazilian social media influencer with a significant following, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey. The detention comes as a stark contrast to Pena’s previous public statements minimizing the impact of the Trump governance’s immigration crackdown, where he asserted that deportation efforts primarily targeted individuals with criminal records.
Pena, whose full name is Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, gained prominence for sharing his experiences as an immigrant in the United States and openly expressing support for former President Trump’s policies. He amassed a substantial online presence, with 1.3 million followers on TikTok and nearly 500,000 on Instagram, where he frequently discussed “the reality of the USA.”
According to reports from the Brazilian Times, Pena’s detention stems from an administrative error related to a scheduled immigration hearing. The hearing was reportedly postponed, but the change in date was not properly updated in the system, leading ICE to mark Pena as absent. He is currently being held at the Delaney hall Detention Center in newark, while his attorney, Andrew Lattarulo, works to prevent his transfer to another facility.
The timing of pena’s detention is particularly noteworthy given his past commentary on immigration enforcement.Following Trump’s re-election and the subsequent intensification of immigration policies focused on Latin american immigrants, Pena downplayed concerns within the Brazilian community. He claimed that those facing deportation were largely individuals involved in criminal activity, attempting to alleviate fears among his audience.
“I wanted to tell you not to be so scared,” Pena stated in one video, “There are many influencers spreading fear among immigrants without having facts… those detained were ‘crooks.'”
However, the broader impact of the immigration crackdown during Trump’s second term has been far-reaching. Reports indicate that the policies contributed to the deaths of two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis, and sparked widespread protests against ICE across multiple states. Data released by Brazil’s Federal Police in December 2025 revealed that 2,268 Brazilian nationals were deported from the United States that year – the highest number since data collection began in 2020.
Pena arrived in the United States in 2009. His detention has ignited a wave of reactions online, with some accusing him of promoting a naive and unrealistic portrayal of the American immigration system. A GoFundMe campaign launched to assist with his legal expenses quickly reached its $32,000 goal, demonstrating the level of support he still commands within certain communities.
this case highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of navigating the U.S. immigration system, even for those who publicly advocate for stricter enforcement. It also underscores the human cost of immigration policies and the importance of accurate information in a climate often fueled by misinformation and fear.
Keywords: Immigration, ICE, Donald Trump, Brazilian Immigrants, Deportation, Social Media Influencer, immigration Policy, US Immigration, Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, Júnior Pena.