Who is Alice Correia Barbosa, the Trans Brazilian Woman Arrested by ICE?

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a transgender Brazilian woman, Alice Correia Barbosa, in Silver Spring, Maryland. The arrest quickly became controversial after ICE officials misgendered her and announced plans to deport her.

A video shared on Instagram showed three plain-clothed ICE agents stopping Alice and removing her from her car before placing her in an unmarked SUV. During the arrest, one of the officers used male pronouns, which sparked outrage among LGBTQ+ groups and Brazilian politicians.

Who is Alice Correia Barbosa

According to a senior Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official, Alice had overstayed her B-2 tourist visa by nearly six years. The official described her as “an illegal from Brazil” and refused to acknowledge her gender identity. They also mentioned previous arrests related to possession of controlled substances and marijuana. Alice is currently being held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Virginia while awaiting removal proceedings.

Brazilian lawmaker Erika Hilton strongly condemned the arrest. On August 24, she called the act violent and unconstitutional. Hilton also urged Brazil’s Foreign Ministry to step in and ensure that Alice’s rights and safety are respected. The ministry later confirmed it was monitoring the case and providing consular assistance.

The issue has become bigger because Brazil is already considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for transgender people. Human rights groups have highlighted that Brazil has the highest number of murders of trans people globally. Advocates fear Alice could face serious risks if deported.

The case also adds to rising criticism of President Donald Trump’s immigration stance. In his inaugural address earlier this year, Trump declared that the government’s official policy is that there are “only two genders, male and female.” His administration has faced backlash for its handling of LGBTQ+ rights and for policies that many see as discriminatory.

For now, Alice Correia Barbosa remains in custody. Human rights groups, Brazilian lawmakers, and LGBTQ+ activists continue to call for her release and fair treatment.