In brief
Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, a Brazilian visiting law professor at Harvard, voluntarily departed the U.S. after his visa was revoked. This followed an incident during Yom Kippur, where he shot a pellet gun near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts. Although Homeland Security labeled the event antisemitic, the temple stated it didn't appear to be motivated by anti-Jewish sentiment. Gouvêa, who has a record of social justice advocacy, faced misdemeanor charges resulting from the incident but claimed he was targeting rats.
BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, a visiting law professor from Brazil at Harvard, has returned to Brazil after his visa was revoked by federal officials due to a pellet gun incident that occurred during Yom Kippur near a synagogue. Gouvêa was apprehended on Wednesday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and subsequently agreed to leave the United States voluntarily.On October 1, police were notified of gunfire near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, a prominent synagogue. The incident attracted attention as it unfolded during one of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. Security personnel reported hearing multiple shots and spotted Gouvêa with a pellet rifle. Following an altercation with police, he claimed he was merely trying to control a rat problem in his neighborhood.While the Department of Homeland Security described the incident as antisemitic, Temple Beth Zion released a statement indicating that Gouvêa did not appear to be aware of his proximity to the synagogue or the significance of the day.In the wake of these events, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that acts like these will not be tolerated in the U.S., highlighting the importance of respect for all communities.Gouvêa was charged with several misdemeanors and a felony related to the incident, yet as part of a plea deal, he was placed on probation and ordered to pay restitution without having to plead guilty. He reflects a history of human rights advocacy and was involved in academic programs focusing on corruption and sustainable practices at Harvard.Despite the controversy, the University of São Paulo defended Gouvêa, acknowledging his contributions to social justice and his connections to the Jewish community. Harvard has opted not to provide comments regarding the situation.
