A Brazilian social media influencer who has publicly supported President Donald Trump’s tough immigration stance was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday.
Junior Pena, an Instagram personality with close to half a million followers, was arrested in New Jersey after failing to appear at a court hearing connected to his own immigration case, a friend told the Brazilian Times.
According to The Guardian, Pena moved to the United States in 2009. He regularly describes himself as an immigrant online and often posts about people who have traveled to the U.S. hoping to build better lives.
At the same time, he has been vocal in backing Donald Trump, repeatedly defending the president during the administration’s immigration crackdown.
Junior Pena, a Brazilian social media influencer known for openly supporting strict immigration enforcement and praising the role of ICE, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Jersey after missing an immigration court hearing that had been… pic.twitter.com/HdCaAp4vOi
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When reports emerged that Brazilians were among those detained and deported during Trump’s first week back in office, Pena urged his audience not to overreact.
“Don’t panic, thinking they’re deporting everyone,” he said in Portuguese. “There’s a news report showing ICE arresting [people], which even includes Brazilians, but they’re all criminals. All criminals. Don’t believe just any influencer.”
Following his arrest, Pena’s friends have launched a fundraising effort to help pay for his legal representation and court-related costs. The campaign is seeking to raise $50,000.
