Walistton Henrique de Souza, Reentry of Deported Alien, Louisiana 2026

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

Nearly a half decade after being removed to Brazil by the United States Department of Homeland Security, Walistton Henrique de Souza is facing the consequences of his decision to reenter the United States.

On May 7, 2026, the 32-year-old Brazilian native pleaded guilty and was sentenced to time served for reentry of removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a), announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to court documents, de Souza was found in St. Tammany Parish on March 31, 2026 by agents of the United States Customs and Border Patrol. The illegal alien had previously been removed to Brazil on July 2, 2021.

United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced de Souza to time served, then transferred him into ICE Custody for deportation proceedings, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle praised the work of the United States Customs and Border Patrol in investigating this matter. Special Assistant United States Attorney Rick Veters, of the General Crimes Unit oversees the prosecution.

Walistton Henrique de Souza, 32, of Brazil, pleaded guilty and was sentenced for reentry of removed alien in violation of Title 8, United States Code, Section 1326(a) on May 7, 2026.

He was found in St. Tammany Parish on March 31, 2026 by agents of the United States Customs and Border Patrol. De Souza had previously been removed to Brazil on July 2, 2021.

United States District Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced de Souza to time served, then transferred him into ICE Custody for deportation proceedings, and payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edla/pr/brazilian-national-guilty-reentry-deported-alien