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

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
Sources
- West Hollywood man detained by ICE during immigration check-in
abc7.com·Aug 14, 2026·archived copy
- Federal judge blocks deportation of West Hollywood man detained by ICE during immigration check-in
abc7.com·Aug 15, 2026·archived copy
- KTLA
- thepridela.com
- wehoonline.com
- beverlypress.com
- Longtime WeHo resident from Brazil remains in limbo 6 weeks after detention during ICE check-in
abc7.com·Sep 23, 2026
- West Hollywood Resident Alex Pereira-Alves Marks 45 Days in ICE Detention
wehoonline.com·Sep 25, 2026
- Brazilian immigrant Alex Pereira-Alves of West Hollywood remains in limbo after detention at ICE check-in | US Times Mirror
ustimesmirror.com·Sep 23, 2026
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