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Brazilian man detained at routine ICE check-in, stuck in limbo after deportation blocked

Aug 12, 2026·Location: West Hollywood, CA

Country of origin: Brazil

Brazilian man detained at routine ICE check-in, stuck in limbo after deportation blocked
Photo via Instagram

Alex Pereira-Alves, a Brazilian immigrant who has lived in West Hollywood for nearly a decade working as a security guard and personal trainer, was detained by ICE after reporting to a downtown Los Angeles facility for what he believed was a routine check-in; officials told him he was 'deportable' and handcuffed him. He entered the U.S. legally in 2010, overstayed his visa, and in 2018 received a final removal order along with a grant of withholding of removal protecting him from being sent to Brazil. DHS first indicated he would be deported to Guyana, then Equatorial Guinea, countries he has no connection to, before a federal judge temporarily blocked the Equatorial Guinea deportation. His attorney, Jane Oaks, says he can no longer be sent to Brazil, deported to Equatorial Guinea, allowed to designate another country, or released, and she is filing an emergency habeas corpus petition arguing he was denied due process. His friend Jeff Markwardt, who is covering legal costs and caring for Pereira-Alves' dog Bella, said Pereira-Alves is 'terrified' and no longer feels safe in detention, and friends say the phone calls and legal filings supporting him are costing thousands of dollars.

Timeline

Aug 12, 2026—Attorney Jane Oaks announced plans to file an emergency habeas corpus petition citing denial of due process
Aug 11, 2026—Detained by ICE agents during a routine check-in at a downtown Los Angeles facility and transferred to Adelanto Detention Center
Aug 11, 2026—Federal judge temporarily blocked his deportation to Equatorial Guinea
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