A 13-year-old alleged gang member’s self-deportation exposes the dangers of lax border policies and highlights a renewed Trump-era crackdown—while his mother refuses to leave, demanding asylum despite her son’s criminal history.
ICE Detention of Juvenile Gang Member Sparks Debate
Federal authorities detained 13-year-old Arthur Yuri De Almeida Silva Berto, an alleged Brazilian “33” gang member, after he was arrested at his Everett, Massachusetts school for threats involving a deadly weapon. Officials reported that Berto had 11 prior interactions with police, including violent assault, theft, and vandalism. The Department of Homeland Security cited his extensive record and gang affiliation as justification for detention and deportation, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from left-wing activists who continue to oppose tougher immigration enforcement.
🚨🚨 BREAKING NEWS @ICEgov KIDNAPPED a 13 year-old child in Everett, Massachusetts without notifying his family.
Only later did they find out their child, who has a scheduled asylum hearing, is in a detention center in Virginia.
Boston police still have not told the parents… https://t.co/Q2iUj9qARL pic.twitter.com/Btl5x1XUpd
— Dittie (@DittiePE) October 13, 2025
Mother’s Refusal to Self-Deport Raises Questions of Accountability
Despite Berto’s decision to return to Brazil, his mother and father are refusing to accompany him, insisting on remaining in the U.S. under a pending asylum claim. Berto’s mother characterized her son as “just a child,” but did not address his lengthy rap sheet or the community risk posed by his actions. Many conservatives view this as symptomatic of a broken system that has, for years, allowed individuals to exploit loopholes at the expense of public safety and the rule of law. This refusal to self-deport, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of criminal conduct, exemplifies the legal and moral challenges facing immigration authorities today.
Trump Administration Restores Tough Immigration Enforcement
Since taking office in 2025, President Trump has prioritized restoring strict border enforcement and rolling back policies that previously shielded illegal immigrants, even those with criminal records. The administration quickly reinstated ICE’s authority to conduct raids in locations once considered “sensitive,” such as schools, and removed barriers that previously delayed or blocked deportations of criminal aliens. The case of Berto illustrates these changes: under new directives, authorities acted decisively to detain and remove a known threat, despite opposition from activist groups. The administration’s stance reflects a broader commitment to upholding the Constitution and protecting American communities from crime and disorder fueled by unchecked illegal immigration.
13-year-old unlawfully in the U.S. denied release after alleged gang ties surface following a school threat. Federal prosecutors say he’s a public-safety and flight risk. He and his family reportedly entered the country illegally in 2021. pic.twitter.com/Fv63pRMMo6
— The American Border Story (@TABSReport) October 28, 2025
Liberal Opposition and Constitutional Order
Berto’s arrest and pending deportation drew immediate backlash from liberal activists, who argued that deporting minors, regardless of their criminal record, violates humanitarian norms. However, Trump administration officials point to the need for common-sense enforcement and the restoration of law and order as non-negotiable priorities. DHS leadership emphasized that protecting Americans requires the removal of individuals who pose a public safety threat, regardless of age or background. The administration’s critics continue to push back, but the reality remains: under President Trump, the era of leniency is over. The system is once again prioritizing the safety and constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens over the demands of those who would undermine national sovereignty.
Family Separation and the Limits of Asylum Claims
With Berto set to return to Brazil to live with relatives, his family’s decision to stay behind highlights the controversial intersection of asylum law, family unity, and public safety. While his mother decries the separation as unjust, many Americans see this as a necessary consequence of years of policy failure and misplaced compassion. The Trump administration’s approach marks a clear break from the permissive attitude of prior years, sending a strong message that criminality and manipulation of the asylum process will not be tolerated. As judges and federal officials continue to weigh each case, the guiding principle remains clear: America’s security and values come first.