ICE deports illegal migrant convicted of child rape in Brazil: “Significant threat”

WASHINGTON (TN) — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials announced on Monday the deportation of an illegal immigrant who has been convicted multiple times of child rape in Brazil.

Saulo Cardoso-Ferreira, 37, is wanted by Brazilian authorities for failure to serve a 14-year prison sentence for raping a defenseless child. He entered the United States at an unknown time and place and was not screened by border patrol agents, according to ICE.

The illegal immigrant was charged with driving without a license and speeding in 2020. He was arrested by Boston Enforcement and Removal (ERO) officers in 2023.

Todd Lyons, head of the ERO Boston field office, said Monday that the person poses a great danger to children.

“Saulo Cardoso-Ferreira attempted to flee justice and seek refuge in Massachusetts,” Lyons said. “He posed a significant threat to the children of our communities, and we could not allow that to happen. ERO Boston will continue to put the safety of our people first by apprehending and removing serious, non-citizen offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”

This month, ICE also deported 40-year-old Marcos Dos Santos, who was wanted in Brazil on rape charges. The agency also arrested an illegal immigrant from El Salvador in Boston this month for committing sex crimes against a Massachusetts child.

READ MORE | Migrant accused of raping teenager in Massachusetts shelter released on $500 bail

Immigration remains one of the most pressing issues facing candidates in the 2024 presidential election. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in June that President Joe Biden’s “hardline” border policy was “working” despite strong skepticism from Republicans.

“The person responsible for a heinous crime is the criminal and we must apply the full force of the law against that criminal,” the minister added.

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