The Supreme Court has made it more challenging for undocumented immigrants who have used false Social Security numbers to remain in the U.S. if detained, even if they have lived in the country for many years. The decision, with a 5-3 vote, specifically impacted Brazilian immigrant Clemente Avelino Pereira, who has lived in the U.S. for 25 years. Pereira, who entered the U.S. in 1990 and faced a deportation order in 2009, used a false Social Security number to obtain employment. Despite his appeal to cancel the deportation due to the impact on his American-born son and family, the court ruled that his crime constituted 'moral turpitude,' making him ineligible for cancellation of removal. The ruling emphasized that Pereira failed to prove his case did not involve moral turpitude, rejecting his argument that the government should bear the burden of proof.

Fausto José Marques, a 61-year-old Brazilian residing in Marlborough, Massachusetts, passed away on December 27 due to COVID-19. His family, who also contracted the virus, is seeking financial assistance through a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses and send his ashes back to Brazil. Despite taking precautions, the family is unsure how they contracted the virus. Fausto's widow, Aparecida Teixeira Fialho, plans to return to Brazil with their son Gabriel to deposit Fausto's ashes in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais. She expressed gratitude for the support from the Brazilian community during this difficult time.

Massachusetts Democratic legislators have renewed efforts to pass a law allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain driver's licenses, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as a new impetus. The bill, introduced by Democrat Christine Barber and supported by other Democratic lawmakers, would enable applicants to obtain a license without proving legal residency. The proposal aligns with similar laws in sixteen other states and comes as President Joe Biden seeks to enact broad immigration reform. Previous attempts were opposed by Republican Governor Charlie Baker, and the current bill has passed the Transportation Committee but has not been voted on in the Senate.

Sociologist Rodrigo Serrão, a professor at Hope College, has studied the response of evangelical churches in Florida to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on their compliance and criticism of health measures. Analyzing 57 sermons, Serrão found a mix of obedience and revolt, with pastors openly criticizing local authorities' restrictions while trying to maintain community engagement through online services. The churches' reactions varied, with some pastors encouraging disobedience and spreading distrust in the government, particularly left-leaning ones. Serrão notes the evangelical alignment with conservative governments, as seen with Trump and Bolsonaro, who both downplayed the efficacy of safety measures and deemed churches essential services. The pandemic was often framed as divine punishment, with apocalyptic interpretations gaining prominence among the pastors.

The Brazilian Consulate in Miami has faced challenges due to the pandemic, leading to delays in services such as passport issuance. The Consulate has implemented measures like remote work and a digital appointment system to address these issues. The Consul-General, João Mendes Pereira, highlights improvements in service delivery, including a reduction in processing times and the introduction of the e-consular system, which has been well-received by the Brazilian community in Florida.

The article reports on the reactions of Brazilians to the Capitol riot by Trump supporters, highlighting criticism from both Democrats and Republicans. Companies like JPMorgan, Chase, and Marriott have ceased funding legislators who opposed Joe Biden's Senate certification, and the PGA canceled a tournament at a Trump golf course. The FBI has found no evidence of BLM or Antifa involvement in the riot, contrary to conspiracy theories. Brazilian residents in the US express mixed views, with some justifying the invasion by comparing it to Black Lives Matter protests, while others condemn the violence and view it as an attack on democracy.

Roberto Alves, a Democrat and son of Brazilian and Portuguese immigrants, has announced his pre-candidacy for mayor of Danbury, Connecticut. Alves, currently a city councilman, aims to succeed Republican Mark Boughton, who resigned to become the state's Revenue Commissioner. Alves criticizes Boughton's anti-immigrant stance and emphasizes the need for better public schools, infrastructure, and affordable housing. He believes his immigrant background and community involvement make him a strong candidate. The Democratic Party of Danbury will hold its convention in July to select the official nominee.

Despite President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies and rhetoric, a segment of the Brazilian community in the United States continues to support him. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook groups like Brazilians4Trump, play a significant role in rallying conservative Brazilian immigrants. Andrey Cunha, an evangelical conservative, supports Trump, while Márcio Ribeiro da Silva offers a contrasting view, highlighting the record number of deportations during Obama's administration. Historian James Green discusses the influence of religious conservatism and anti-communist sentiment among Brazilian immigrants, noting their tendency to align with Trump's policies and rhetoric. The article also touches on the broader trend of Latino votes for Republicans and the surprising support from women for Trump despite his controversial history with women.

In California, approximately 151,258 people live on the streets, with the total number in the USA reaching 567,715. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated unemployment, pushing many to depend on external aid. Brazilian Flávio Lima, a San Francisco resident, initiated a successful campaign to help the homeless, raising funds and supplies. In New York and New Jersey, the Legião da Boa Vontade (LBV) saw a fourfold increase in aid requests from Brazilians and Latinos during the pandemic, particularly in immigrant communities. Despite the crisis, the Brazilian community actively participated in aid distribution, with LBV focusing on families in mandatory isolation due to COVID-19.