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January 12, 2023Boston, MA, United StatesEnforcement and Removal

ERO Boston arrests fugitive convicted in Brazil of attempted murder

Jefferson Ferreira de Almeida, 29, was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after illegally entering the United States near San Luis, Arizona in 2021, given a Notice to Appear, and subsequently provided a recognizance release pending future removal proceedings in June 2021.

BOSTON — Officers with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston arrested a Brazilian citizen convicted of attempted murder in Brazil near Malden, Jan. 9.

Jefferson Ferreira de Almeida, 29, was apprehended by U.S. Border Patrol after illegally entering the United States near San Luis, Arizona in 2021, given a Notice to Appear, and subsequently provided a recognizance release pending future removal proceedings in June 2021.

“We are glad to have apprehended this convicted attempted murderer from the streets of our community,” said ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons. “This targeted enforcement action apprehending a dangerous criminal fugitive could only have been so successful because of the professionalism of our ICE Fugitive Operations officers and the vital assistance of our dedicated law enforcement partners from Brazil. We are grateful for the expert coordination of the whole team on this action.”

Ferreira de Almeida will remain in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) custody pending upcoming, scheduled immigration proceedings. ERO officers make enforcement decisions on a case-by-case basis in a responsible manner, informed by their experience as law enforcement professionals and in a way that best protects against the greatest threats to the homeland.

Noncitizens placed into removal proceedings receive their legal due process from federal immigration judges in the immigration courts, which are administered by the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR is an agency within the U.S. Department of Justice and is separate from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Immigration judges in these courts make decisions based on the merits of each individual case. ICE officers carry out the removal decisions made by the federal immigration judges.

In fiscal year (FY) 2022, ERO arrested 46,396 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 198,498 associated charges and convictions. These included 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

ERO, a directorate of ICE, upholds U.S. immigration law at, within, and beyond our borders. ERO operations target public safety threats, such as convicted criminal noncitizens and gang members, who have violated our nation's immigration laws, including those who illegally re-enter the country after being removed and immigration fugitives ordered removed by federal immigration judges. ERO deportation officers assigned to Interpol also assist in targeting foreign fugitives for crimes committed abroad at-large in the U.S. ERO manages all aspects of the immigration enforcement process, including identification and arrest, detention, bond management, supervised release, transportation, and removal. Additionally, ERO repatriates noncitizens ordered removed from the U.S. to more than 170 countries worldwide.

Members of the public can report crimes or suspicious activity by calling 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.

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