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Brazilian artist detained by ICE, pregnant wife seeks his release as criminal charges dismissed

Oct 10, 2025 · San Juan Island, WA, Brazil

Guilherme Lemes Cardoso E Silva, a 35-year-old Brazilian visual artist and former attorney based in Sausalito, was detained by ICE agents on July 11, 2025, while driving on San Juan Island, Washington, to pick up his 4-year-old daughter. His wife, Rachel Leidig, who is an American makeup artist 7 months pregnant with their first child due in October, says ICE agents surrounded Silva's car with approximately six unmarked vehicles, refused to show a warrant, confiscated his phone while he was recording, and used physical force during the arrest, pushing him against the car and handcuffing him. Silva, who entered the U.S. on a valid six-month visa eight years ago and overstayed his status, had no criminal record and was in the final stages of applying for a green card through an I-130 petition filed by his wife after they married in April 2025. ICE agents claimed to have found illicit images on Silva's phone and charged him with possessing depictions of a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Silva was held at the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, where according to Leidig he was subjected to invasive searches, made to sleep on the floor with 35 other detainees, and shackled during transport. On July 29, a judge ordered Silva's release on bond, which Leidig paid in full, but ICE transferred him to Whatcom County without explanation, complicating his legal representation. On September 12, after 63 days in custody, Silva was released on personal recognizance. On October 6, a judge dismissed the criminal charges against him without prejudice, four days before the birth of his newborn son, Isidore. The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney indicated charges could be refiled pending investigation completion. Leidig speculated that the detention may have been related to a custody battle Silva was involved in.

Timeline

Oct 10, 2025Silva's newborn son, Isidore, born four days after criminal charges dismissed.
Oct 6, 2025Judge dismissed criminal charges against Silva without prejudice for possessing depictions of minors. Charges could be refiled pending investigation completion.
Sep 12, 2025Silva released on personal recognizance after 63 days in custody.
Jul 30, 2025ICE transferred Silva from Tacoma detention center to Whatcom County without explanation, despite judge's release order and bail being paid.
Jul 29, 2025Judge ordered Silva's release on bond. Rachel Leidig paid full bail amount in same day.
Jul 13, 2025Silva transferred to Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma after spending approximately 38 hours at initial detention facility.
Jul 11, 2025Guilherme Lemes Cardoso E Silva detained by ICE agents on San Juan Island, Washington, while driving to pick up his daughter. Agents surrounded car with unmarked vehicles, refused to show warrant, confiscated phone, and used physical force.

Sources

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