FARMINGTON, Maine - Border Patrol agents from Rangeley arrested two Brazilian Nationals on Wednesday, September 11. Further investigation led to a local hotel where two additional Brazilians were arrested.
Agents responded to the Farmington area following a report of suspicious activity near the local Wal-Mart. While investigating the report, Border Patrol agents identified two Brazilian men residing in the United States illegally. After a brief interview both men were taken into custody and brought to a local hotel to retrieve their personal property. While retrieving the personal property Border Patrol agents encountered two additional Brazilians residing illegally in the United States.
“We rely on the public and our enforcement partners to serve as force multipliers for us,” said Jason Owens, Chief Patrol Agents of the Border Patrol in Maine. “With our limited resources, it would be next to impossible for us to achieve situational awareness without their assistance.”
The men were transported to the Rangeley Border Patrol Station for processing. During processing all four men were found to have entered the United States legally with B1/ B2 tourist visas between 2007 and 2018. Additionally, all four men admitted to engaging in unlawful work activities while in the United States. The Brazilian men were entered into administrative removal proceedings and transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Office of Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
While most of the people arrested by the United States Border Patrol in Maine are processed administratively, underlying criminal charges are frequently present.
The Border Patrol in Maine relies on the cooperation and assistance of the public. Anyone wishing to make a confidential report of suspicious activity may call (800) 851-8727 to contact the United States Border Patrol in Maine.