BOSTON— Emelio Neftaly Pineda, a twice-deported criminal alien with a reported history of domestic assault, restraining-order violations, DUI, and leaving the scene of a crime, is back in ICE custody today after completing his federal sentence for illegal reentry, according to ICE Boston’s official X account.

Federal officials confirmed Pineda was transferred directly into ICE custody following his release from prison and now faces removal proceedings for the third time. He had already been deported twice before slipping back into the United States again — a pattern authorities say has stretched across years.

Pineda’s background was already in the national spotlight. Earlier this year, Fox News reported that he had multiple prior convictions in Massachusetts and had been deported twice before reentering the country again. That report also identified him as the brother of Lucy Pineda, the outspoken Massachusetts immigrant-rights activist who runs Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts.

Emelio Neftaly Pineda is back in ICE @EROBoston custody after serving time for illegally reentering the US. His criminal history includes domestic assault & battery, violating restraining order, DWI & warrant for leaving an accident scene. He remains in ICE custody until deported pic.twitter.com/mEUJ4KJEua

— ICE Boston (@EROBoston) November 12, 2025

Lucy Pineda is well known on Beacon Hill for her aggressive anti-ICE activism. She regularly posts videos on Facebook showing the locations of ICE operations as agents make arrests of immigration offenders, often warning her followers in real time. Her organization has long urged local officials to resist cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, even as her own brother has cycled through criminal courts, deportations, and illegal reentries.

The contrast between her public campaign against ICE and her brother’s repeated encounters with federal law enforcement has resurfaced sharply following today’s transfer. Pineda’s return to ICE custody reopens the controversy that first erupted when the family connection became public.

ICE officials say Pineda will remain detained while removal proceedings continue. No release timeline has been provided.