US Embassy in Brazil Urges Illegal Immigrants to Leave

The US Embassy in Brazil made a noteworthy announcement on Wednesday, urging Brazilians living in the US without legal status to consider returning home. Drawing a parallel to the classic film E.T., they stated, “Even E.T. knew when it was time to go home.” The promotional material featured the iconic image of E.T. on his bike against the moon’s backdrop, suggesting, “Think about using the CBP Home App for your departure.”

Posts on social media platforms have incorporated images from the beloved 1982 film directed by Steven Spielberg. Interestingly, as of now, Spielberg hasn’t commented on the embassy’s choice to use these images.

The message, delivered in Portuguese, reads, “If you’re in the US illegally, just like E.T., it’s time to go home. By using the CBP Home App, you can leave with assistance and respect, along with support for travel and scholarships to head back to your home country.”

CBP Home is an application that has been updated to help unauthorized immigrants exit the US more smoothly. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials highlight that opting for voluntary departure could potentially set a pathway for these individuals to enter the US legally in the future.

The Department of Homeland Security seems to have adopted E.T. as a sort of mascot for its initiatives. Just last week, a similar English message was shared on its official Facebook page.

The US Embassy in Brasilia has actively promoted the CBP Home App, releasing educational content aimed at those in the US illegally. They remind users that this application provides “dignity and the chance for a free return home, along with opportunities for applying for legal entry.”

CBP Home came as a response to the previous CBP One application, which was first launched during President Joe Biden’s administration. While CBP One focused on helping immigrants register more efficiently with the government, the Trump administration’s CBP Home emphasizes voluntary departure. Trump has expressed that the changes were necessary to address perceived exploitation of the immigration system during Biden’s term, noting that by early 2025, over 970,000 individuals had utilized CBP One to enter the US.

Trump stated, “The Biden administration has allowed over a million unauthorized individuals to enter the US using one CBP app. Now, the CBP Home App provides a straightforward way for people to leave voluntarily.” He also cautioned that those who fail to take advantage of this would likely face deportation and permanent exclusion from the US.

The application has multiple features, including allowing non-immigrants to apply for temporary travel permits and request needed inspections.

As of this week, the Trump administration has reported that through the CBP Home App, thousands of illegal immigrants have received incentives to depart voluntarily.

Traditionally, Brazil has been a significant source of illegal immigration to the US, with estimates suggesting that in 2022, around 230,000 Brazilians were living unlawfully in the country. Reports indicated that illegal immigrant groups from Brazil and Colombia increased during the Biden administration, following a drop during Trump’s first term.

In 2021, illegal immigration from Brazil surged dramatically, reportedly by 114,000%. Some of this increase was linked to organized human trafficking, with reports of immigrants being coerced into labor under harsh conditions, particularly in places like Massachusetts, which has a notable Brazilian population.

Local media has reported rising concerns among Brazilians in the US about potential increased detentions by immigration authorities under a second Trump administration. Many are reportedly using WhatsApp group chats to share information about ICE activities and possible deportation scenarios. Within these groups, some members have acted as watchers, alerting others when they notice ICE presence.

Community teachers have expressed concern about the rise in deportations, which seems to correlate with increased absenteeism among children, while social workers note a rise in calls from Brazilians seeking assistance.

In June, ICE launched a “monthly enforcement operation” that resulted in nearly 1,500 arrests in Massachusetts, targeting individuals connected to organized crime. Among those detained were two Brazilian nationals with existing international charges related to drug trafficking and murder.