Brazilian influencer Junior Pena was released in New Jersey after spending around 60 days in the custody of ICE, the United States immigration service. The release occurred following a decision by a federal judge, according to the influencer’s own report in a video published on social media.
Pena stated that he was in the cell when he was called by an agent. Without detailing the legal basis for the decision, he reported that the officer entered the scene and announced his release. According to him, the agent simply said “freedom” when he found him, before instructing him to gather his belongings to leave the unit.
. During this period, he had two bail requests denied, as he said in the video.
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The arrest occurred after the influencer missed a court hearing in the United States. Before being released, Pena had agreed to voluntary deportation, which would involve paying for his own return trip to Brazil and being accompanied by immigration agents until boarding.
He did not say whether the release decision changes this agreement or the next steps in the migration process.
Pena has lived in the United States for more than 16 years. Since 2009 in the country, it has gained notoriety on social media by producing content aimed at Brazilians interested in working or settling in the American territory.
The influencer had already declared support for the President of the United States, Donald Trump. In 2024, when asked by followers about the American election, he said he preferred the Republican.
In previous publications, he also commented on migration policies and even minimized the risk of deportation for Brazilian workers. At another point, however, he criticized the actions of immigration agents, classifying some actions as “inhumane”.
