USCIS Newsroom Update
Green Card and ID Fraud Sentencing
This update is shared directly from the official USCIS Newsroom to keep you informed about immigration enforcement and fraud prevention efforts.
Brazilian National in Massachusetts Sentenced for Unlawful Reentry and Selling Fake Green Cards
Release Date: July 14, 2025
This post contains official information sourced directly from the USCIS Newsroom to inform the public about enforcement actions involving immigration-related fraud.
BOSTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) played a key role in the investigation that resulted in the sentencing of a Brazilian national for reentering the U.S. unlawfully and trafficking in counterfeit documents, including fraudulent Green Cards and Social Security cards.
Liene Tavares DeBarros, Jr., 40, was sentenced to:
- Five months in prison
- Two years of supervised release
- Deportation after completing his sentence
DeBarros had previously been deported in July 2010 but unlawfully reentered the country at an unknown time. In 2024, law enforcement learned that he was selling fake identity documents and launched an undercover operation.
Key facts from the investigation include:
- In October 2024, DeBarros sold a counterfeit Green Card and Social Security card to an undercover officer for $250
- In December 2024, he sold two more sets of fake documents for $500
- He had agreed to sell additional sets before being arrested
- A search of his residence uncovered more counterfeit documents, including his own falsified records
The investigation was conducted by the Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force (DBTF) led by Homeland Security Investigations. This multi-agency group targets individuals and networks involved in identity and immigration benefit fraud schemes.
For official immigration information, visit the USCIS Website.