A visiting professor from Harvard Law School, Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, has departed the United States following a decision by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revoke his visa. This action stemmed from an incident involving the firing of a BB gun near a synagogue during Yom Kippur on October 1, 2023. Gouvêa’s departure comes after his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, when he opted for voluntary departure rather than facing deportation.
According to a statement from Gouvêa’s attorney, Joseph D. Eisenstadt, the professor arrived back in Brazil on Thursday. The DHS has classified the shooting incident as antisemitic, although officials from Temple Beth Zion Brookline stated shortly after the event that there were no apparent motivations of antisemitism. Initial police reports indicated that Gouvêa claimed he was attempting to shoot rats and was unaware that he was near a place of worship during a religious holiday.
The incident began when Brookline police responded to reports of a “person with a gun” shortly after 21:00 on Yom Kippur, a day when many Jewish individuals engage in prayer and reflection. Private security at the temple reported hearing “at least two loud shots” fired and subsequently spotted Gouvêa with the rifle. The arrest report details a brief struggle between Gouvêa and the approaching officers, culminating in his detention.
Initially, Gouvêa faced multiple charges, including illegal discharge of a BB gun, vandalism, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. Most charges were dismissed last month, with Gouvêa placed on six months of pre-trial probation regarding the misdemeanor charge of illegal BB gun discharge. He was also ordered to pay restitution of $386.59 for damage caused to a vehicle during the incident. If he complies with the terms of his probation, the charge will be dismissed after six months without requiring a court appearance.
Following the incident, Gouvêa’s J-1 visa, a nonimmigrant visa for exchange visitors, was revoked by the State Department on October 16. Harvard Law School’s website indicates that he was scheduled to teach courses during the fall semester of 2025, including “Corruption and Inequality Seminar: Unraveling the Vicious Circle” and “Sustainable Capitalism.” Gouvêa is also an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School and serves as CEO of the Global Law Institute, a think tank focused on environmental and social justice in Brazil.
In response to the incident, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of DHS, emphasized that studying and working in the U.S. is a privilege, stating, “There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of antisemitism like this. They are an affront to our core principles as a country and an unacceptable threat against law-abiding American citizens.”
The University of São Paulo’s Law School Director, Celso Fernandes Campilongo, condemned the accusations against Gouvêa as “malicious and distorted,” highlighting his advocacy for human rights and connections to the Jewish community through family ties.
This incident raises broader discussions about public safety, the implications of actions taken during significant religious observances, and the responsibilities of individuals in community settings.
