A visiting professor from Harvard Law School, Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, has departed the United States following the revocation of his visa due to a BB gun incident near a synagogue during Yom Kippur. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) labeled the event antisemitic, prompting federal authorities to take action.
Gouvêa, who is originally from Brazil, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Wednesday, October 1, 2023. Following his arrest, he opted to leave the country voluntarily rather than face deportation. According to his attorney, Joseph D. Eisenstadt, Gouvêa arrived in Brazil on Thursday.
The incident occurred on Yom Kippur, a significant day in the Jewish calendar, when adherents seek atonement and forgiveness. Law enforcement was called to Temple Beth Zion in Brookline after reports of a “person with a gun” around 21:00. Security personnel at the temple reported hearing multiple shots and observed Gouvêa behind a tree with the BB gun. Initial police investigations indicated that he may not have been aware of the synagogue’s proximity or the significance of the holiday. Gouvêa allegedly claimed he was “shooting rats.”
In a statement following the incident, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of DHS emphasized that working and studying in the United States is a privilege. “There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of anti-Semitism like this. They are an affront to our core principles as a country and an unacceptable threat against law-abiding American citizens,” she stated.
Gouvêa faced multiple charges, including illegally discharging a BB gun, vandalism, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace. Initially pleading not guilty, he eventually reached a plea agreement wherein all but one misdemeanor charge were dismissed. He was placed on six months of pre-trial probation and ordered to pay restitution of $386.59 for damages caused during the incident. If he complies with the terms of his probation, the remaining charge will be dismissed.
The State Department revoked Gouvêa’s J-1 visa, which is designated for individuals participating in exchange visitor programs, following the antisemitic designation of the incident. Harvard Law School’s website identifies Gouvêa as a visiting professor and lists the courses he was teaching for the fall 2025 semester, including “Corruption and Inequality Seminar: Unraveling the Vicious Circle” and “Sustainable Capitalism.”
Gouvêa is an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School and serves as CEO of the Global Law Institute, a think tank focused on environmental and social justice in Brazil. Following his arrest, Celso Fernandes Campilongo, the director of the University of São Paulo’s Law School, issued a statement condemning the allegations against Gouvêa, asserting his commitment to human rights and noting his connections to the Jewish community.
The situation has raised significant discussion regarding the implications of Gouvêa’s actions and the broader context of antisemitism. As the community reflects on the incident, the legal and academic ramifications for Gouvêa remain a focal point for both institutions involved and the public at large.