Rafael De Jesus-Ribeiro, Unlawful Reentry of a Deported Alien, Massachusetts 2025

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - A Brazilian man has been accused of crossing the line, literally. Rafael De Jesus-Ribeiro, 39, is facing serious consequences for reentering the United States after being deported seven years ago.

According to the indictment, De Jesus-Ribeiro was deported from the United States on July 17, 2019. It is alleged that sometime after his removal, he snuck back into the country without permission.

De Jesus-Ribeiro was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on January 13, 2025. He will appear in federal court in Boston at a later date, where he will face one count of unlawful reentry of a deported alien.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to two years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. De Jesus-Ribeiro will also be subject to deportation proceedings upon completion of an imposed sentence.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the indictment, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric L. Hawkins handling the case. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Enforcement and Removal Operations also played a key role in the investigation.

The details contained in the charging documents are allegations, and De Jesus-Ribeiro is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly be closely watched by immigration advocates and law enforcement officials alike.

De Jesus-Ribeiro's case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of reentering the United States after deportation. The federal government takes these cases seriously, and individuals who break the law will face the full force of the justice system.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/pr/brazilian-man-indicted-illegal-reentry-0