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November 18, 2024Boston, MA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ERO Boston arrests fugitive wanted for theft in Brazil, charged locally with 2 counts of assault with a weapon

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers in Boston arrested Brazilian fugitive Dhennefer Ferreira Pires, 31, Nov. 14 in Framingham. The fugitive fled Brazil prior to serving his criminal sentence for theft and eventually settled in Massachusetts.

“Ferreira fled his home country to evade justice and came to Massachusetts where he allegedly continues to inflict harm on others,” said acting Field Office Director Patricia H. Hyde of ERO Boston. “The residents of Massachusetts should not have to live in fear of the world’s fugitives hiding in their communities. ERO Boston will continue to prioritize the safety of our public by arresting and removing egregious noncitizen offenders.”

Ferreira entered the United States without authorization near Tecate, California, Sep. 9, 2021, where U.S. Border Patrol agents served him with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge before releasing him in his own recognizance.

The Framingham District Court arraigned Ferreira on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon Sep 22, 2024. These charges remain pending. Officers with ERO Boston arrested and placed him in ERO custody pending removal from the United States.

ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States, including at the order of immigration judges with the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review. EOIR is a separate entity from DHS and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case, determining if a noncitizen is subject to a final order of removal or eligible for certain forms of relief from removal.

ERO is one of ICE’s three operational directorates and is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in our New England communities on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROBoston.

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