Image: from George Roussos X@baphometx
By Open Chronicle with Agencies
NEWARK, N.J. — A prominent Brazilian social media influencer who garnered a following by vocalizing his support for President Donald Trump’s hardline immigration policies has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, known to his followers as “Júnior Pena,” was taken into custody on Saturday and is currently being held at the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey. Pena, who has resided in the United States since 2009, built a digital platform on TikTok and Instagram by chronicling “the reality of the United States” and frequently dismissing concerns over mass deportations.
This is hilarious !
A rightwing Brazilian MAGA influencer in New Jersey who spends his time defending Trump’s immigration crackdown to his hundreds of thousands of followers, saying it only targets “crooks” – has been 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐈𝐂𝐄 !And let that be a warning for… pic.twitter.com/GB8KjZhyfU
— Alex Taylor (@AlexTaylorNews) February 2, 2026
Before his arrest, Pena had urged the Brazilian community in the U.S. to remain calm during recent ICE operations, going as far as to label those being detained as “crooks.” He often expressed a firm belief that he and other law-abiding supporters were immune to the administration’s broader enforcement efforts.
According to reports from the Brazilian Times, Pena was reportedly detained after failing to appear for a scheduled court hearing. His legal counsel, Andrew Lattarulo, is currently working to resolve the situation and prevent Pena’s transfer to a detention facility in another state.
The irony of the situation was not lost on critics. Following news of his detention, Pena’s social media accounts were flooded with comments from detractors pointing out the contradiction in his previous stance. In a stark reversal from his earlier rhetoric, a post appeared on Pena’s Instagram account apologizing to his followers.
“I am here to apologize to everyone who trusted in this citizen’s work; I am very sorry that this happened,” the post read. “Forgive me, it was not my intention to advertise for a guy who has no sense whatsoever regarding the Brazilian community.”
The case highlights the growing reach of recent immigration crackdowns, which have increasingly swept up individuals who believed their political affiliations or public support for the administration would offer protection. As ICE continues its operations across the country, Pena’s detention serves as a viral cautionary tale within immigrant communities about the unpredictable nature of federal enforcement.