ICE arrests Brazilian national for selling fake Social Security cards and green cards
BOSTON – An illegally present Brazilian national, residing in Woburn, was arrested March 18 by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for allegedly selling fraudulent Social Security cards and Legal Permanent Resident cards, often referred to as “green cards.”
Liene Tavares De Barros, Jr., 39, is charged with one count of unlawful transfer of a document or authentication feature.
According to the charging documents, Tavares De Barros sold a Social Security card and a green card to an undercover officer in October 2024 in exchange for $250. In December 2024, Tavares De Barros allegedly sold two more Social Security cards and green cards to the undercover officer in exchange for $500.
The charge of unlawful transfer of document or authentication feature and unlawful production of document or authentication feature provides for a sentence of up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Tavares De Barros will also be subject to deportation upon completion of any sentence imposed. Tavares De Barros was previously removed by ICE in 2010 and 2022.
The investigation was conducted by the ICE Homeland Security Investigations New England Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force. DBFTFs target and dismantle the transnational criminal organizations and individuals that threaten U.S. national security and public safety – and address vulnerabilities that exist in the immigration system. Through collaboration and partnership, the DBFTFs maximize resources, eliminate duplication of effort, promote the information sharing, and produce a strong law enforcement presence. DBFTFs safeguard against fraudulent activities related to documents and benefits in the United States.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
