Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, a prominent right-wing Brazilian influencer known online as Júnior Pena, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in New Jersey. Pena, who has lived in the United States since 2009 and built a large following by promoting a pro-Trump view of American life for immigrants, is currently held at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark.

According to reports from The Guardian, The Brazilian Times, and other outlets, Pena’s detention stems from an administrative issue related to his immigration status. A scheduled immigration court hearing had been postponed, but the change was not properly updated in the system. As a result, authorities recorded Pena as absent when he failed to appear, triggering his detention by ICE agents.

Pena, originally from Belo Horizonte in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state, a region with significant emigration to the U.S. has amassed around 1.3 million followers on TikTok and nearly 500,000 on Instagram (@juniorpena0). He frequently posts videos describing “the reality of the United States” from a migrant’s perspective, often criticizing Brazil’s left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva while praising former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of Donald Trump.

The influencer has been an outspoken supporter of Trump and his immigration policies. In recent videos following Trump’s second inauguration and the intensification of immigration enforcement, Pena urged Brazilian migrants not to panic. “I wanted to tell you not to be so scared, there are many people scared,” he said in one clip. “There are many influencers spreading fear among immigrants without having facts, evidence, or proof that so and so was deported.” He repeatedly claimed that those targeted were “all crooks. The lot of them,” insisting that law abiding immigrants had nothing to fear.

Pena’s own detention has sparked widespread online reaction, particularly among Brazilian users. His Instagram comments section filled with memes mocking his situation, including references to Trump and phrases like “ICE ICE Baby” and “Trump, save me.” Left-leaning Brazilians taunted him with remarks such as “You supported Trump and in the end you suffered the consequences” and “What goes around comes around.” Supporters posted calls for prayers, and a GoFundMe campaign to cover his legal and court costs reportedly reached its $32,000 goal by Monday.

Pena’s lawyer, Andrew Lattarulo, is working to resolve the matter and prevent any transfer to another facility or state, according to friends quoted in The Brazilian Times. ICE has not released detailed public comments on the case, and Pena himself has not issued a statement since his detention.

The incident highlights the broader impact of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown on the estimated 2 million Brazilian nationals living in the U.S. Deportations of Brazilians hit a record high of 2,785 in 2025, up from 1,640 in 2024, according to Brazilian Federal Police data. Reports describe a climate of fear in Brazilian communities, particularly in cities like Boston and Newark, where migrants are adopting precautions such as avoiding speaking Portuguese in public and dressing to blend in as “average Americans.”

Pena’s case has drawn attention as an ironic twist: a vocal defender of the very policies that led to his detention. While his situation remains unresolved, it underscores the unpredictable effects of heightened enforcement on even those who publicly endorse it.

Representatives for ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment as of February 3, 2026. Pena’s supporters continue to monitor developments, with some expressing hope for a swift resolution.