BOSTON (AP) — A Harvard visiting law professor from Brazil, Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, has departed the United States after police incident involving a pellet gun near a synagogue during Yom Kippur led to his visa's revocation. After being arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Gouvêa opted for voluntary departure rather than facing deportation. He arrived in Brazil on Thursday.
The incident had occurred in October, when Gouvêa fired a pellet gun near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, prompting a police response to reports of a 'person with a gun.' Initial assessments by law enforcement indicated that Gouvêa may not have been aware of the synagogue's proximity or the significance of the holiday, claiming he was shooting at rats. Despite this, Homeland Security officials labeled the shooting as antisemitic, leading to public condemnation from officials.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that antisemitism has no place in the U.S., calling it an affront to national values. Gouvêa faced multiple charges but reached a plea agreement, resulting in probation and restitution for damage caused by the pellet gun. His J-1 visa was officially revoked by the State Department on October 16, following the incident.
Gouvêa was scheduled to teach at Harvard Law School and is noted for his role as an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School, where he is involved with issues of environmental and social justice. Harvard, however, has not commented on the case. A representative from his home institution expressed support for Gouvêa, praising his historical advocacy for human rights and his ties to the Jewish community.
The incident had occurred in October, when Gouvêa fired a pellet gun near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, prompting a police response to reports of a 'person with a gun.' Initial assessments by law enforcement indicated that Gouvêa may not have been aware of the synagogue's proximity or the significance of the holiday, claiming he was shooting at rats. Despite this, Homeland Security officials labeled the shooting as antisemitic, leading to public condemnation from officials.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that antisemitism has no place in the U.S., calling it an affront to national values. Gouvêa faced multiple charges but reached a plea agreement, resulting in probation and restitution for damage caused by the pellet gun. His J-1 visa was officially revoked by the State Department on October 16, following the incident.
Gouvêa was scheduled to teach at Harvard Law School and is noted for his role as an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School, where he is involved with issues of environmental and social justice. Harvard, however, has not commented on the case. A representative from his home institution expressed support for Gouvêa, praising his historical advocacy for human rights and his ties to the Jewish community.
