U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended Weliton Pires-Dos Santos, a 39-year-old Brazilian national, in Framingham, Massachusetts, on January 26. Pires, who was illegally in the United States, faces charges of assault and battery on a family member.
Patricia H. Hyde, the acting Field Office Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, stated, “Weliton Pires-Dos Santos illegally came to this country and refused to abide by our laws. Pires victimized a family member and presents a threat to the residents of our Massachusetts communities. ICE stands committed to prioritizing the safety of our public by arresting and removing criminal alien offenders from our New England neighborhoods.”
Pires entered the U.S. illegally near San Luis, Arizona, on November 30, 2021, and was apprehended by the U.S. Border Patrol. He was served with a notice to appear and subsequently released on his own recognizance.
On November 20, 2023, officers from the Framingham Police Department arrested Pires for assault and battery on a family member. Despite ICE lodging an immigration detainer against him, the Framingham Police Department released Pires from custody.
Pires remains in ICE custody following his arrest. The public is encouraged to report crimes and suspicious activities to ICE by calling 866-DHS-2-ICE or using the online tip form. Additional information about ICE's efforts to enhance public safety can be found on their Twitter account @EROBoston.
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