An illegal immigrant from Brazil has been apprehended by federal immigration authorities in Massachusetts after being charged with sexual assault on a Nantucket resident. He is the latest in a series of illegal immigrants recently charged, detained, or deported after allegedly raping or assaulting a Bay State citizen.
“Gean Do Amaral Belafronte unlawfully entered the United States, made his way to Nantucket, and allegedly sexually assaulted one of our residents,” said Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Boston Field Office Director Todd M. Lyons on Tuesday. “We have been consistent in our promise to prioritize public safety by arresting and removing egregious noncitizen offenders. This is not a hollow expression; it is a sincere promise to the residents of our New England communities.”
ERO conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the United States as part of the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It’s not the suspect’s first encounter with immigration authorities. In 2021, Belafronte left the U.S. “after violating the terms of his lawful admission,” according to the ERO Boston statement.
“Belafronte unlawfully reentered the United States on an unknown date, at an unknown location, without being inspected, admitted, or paroled by a U.S. immigration official. Nantucket Police arrested Belafronte June 9 and charged him with indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older,” ERO Boston reported.
The Nantucket District court released him on bail soon after. Belafronte was apprehended by federal authorities on Sept. 11 and remains in ERO custody.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey supports “sanctuary” policies that provide protection from immigration enforcement to illegal immigrants who come to her state. Critics say that’s one reason it’s become a magnet for migrants without legal status.
“Massachusetts has emerged as one of the top destinations for illegal immigrants in recent years, according to government records on immigration, court filings, and academic research,” writes Jessica Vaughan of the Center for Immigration Studies.
“Taxpayers in Massachusetts have spent more than $1 billion to date on the emergency shelter system that has been overwhelmed with the task of housing thousands of newly arrived migrants, some who entered illegally and some who arrived under one of the Biden administration’s controversial parole programs. State budget officials expect they will have to spend another $1.8 billion in the next two years,” Vaughan added.
The state has also been the scene of several high-profile crimes allegedly committed by illegal aliens, some of which targeted children.
In August, ICE’s Boston field office announced the arrest of an Ecuadorian national in Plymouth facing rape and kidnapping charges, a Brazilian man facing attempted murder charges in his home country, a Mexican man living in Lynn who had previously been deported following a rape conviction, and a Guatemalan man who illegally entered the country in 2016 and was later charged with first-degree child molestation sexual assault, among others.
Healey has also been a strong supporter of New Hampshire Democratic candidate for governor Joyce Craig, helping her win a tough primary over Executive Councilor Cinde Warmington. Craig has supported sanctuary policies in the past. She has refused to respond to repeated questions about her view of sanctuary policies in her current campaign.
Her opponent, Kelly Ayotte, is campaigning on the illegal immigration issue, pledging to oppose sanctuary cities in the Granite State and to provide state aid to immigration enforcement efforts.
“Massachusetts’ sanctuary policies have cost taxpayers over a billion dollars and are putting families at risk by harboring dangerous criminals,” Ayotte told NHJournal. “Joyce Craig would bring these dangerous policies to New Hampshire — that’s the wrong direction for our state. As Governor, I’ll ban sanctuary cities and protect our communities.”
Craig would not respond to NHJournal’s requests for comment.
