MASSACHUSETTS — Federal immigration agents arrested a Brazilian illegal immigrant last week after his criminal history revealed charges for possessing child sexual abuse material and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Thiago Coelho Dos Santos was taken into custody by ICE Boston's Enforcement and Removal Operations on Feb. 27, according to the agency.

On Feb. 27, ICE Boston arrested Thiago Coelho Dos Santos, a criminal illegal alien from Brazil. Dos Santos' criminal history includes charges for poss. of child sexual abuse material, poss. of obscene child sexual abuse images, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 pic.twitter.com/CMMi17JJxU— ICE Boston (@EROBoston) March 2, 2026

Dos Santos faces charges for possession of child sexual abuse material, possession of obscene child sexual abuse images, and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, ICE said.

The agency did not disclose where in Massachusetts Dos Santos had been living, how long he had been in the country, or the circumstances of his original entry into the United States. It is also unclear when the criminal charges were filed or whether any of them have resulted in a conviction.

ICE's national account wasted no time calling out Boston's sanctuary policies, posting a pointed response aimed directly at Mayor Wu.

Despite Boston's refusal to cooperate with ICE, another child predator was removed from Mayor Wu's streets.

Great work, @EROBoston!— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) March 2, 2026

"Despite Boston's refusal to cooperate with ICE, another child predator was removed from Mayor Wu's streets," the agency wrote, tagging its Boston field office. The post had racked up hundreds of likes within hours.

ICE Boston has been busy

The arrest is the latest in a string of high-profile ICE operations across Massachusetts. The agency has been aggressively targeting illegal immigrants with violent and sexual criminal records in what officials have called a focus on the "worst of the worst." Earlier arrests have included an illegal immigrant convicted of child pornography possession, a convicted sex offender living in Everett, and a child molester who had been living freely in the state. Meanwhile, the Boston City Council recently voted 9-4 to block the public from learning whether ignored ICE detainers had involved actual criminals.

ICE has not said whether Dos Santos is currently in custody awaiting removal proceedings or if he has been transferred to a detention facility.