ICE Seattle arrests illegal immigrant high school teacher wanted in Brazil for theft

A Seattle-area high school teacher has been taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the agency said Tuesday. 

Fernando Alves-Rocha, 45, of Brazil, an illegal alien, was apprehended on July 15 in Monroe, Washington, after overstaying a tourist visa. According to ICE, Alves-Rocha is actively wanted by law enforcement authorities in Brazil for an alleged theft he committed before fleeing to the United States, raising concerns about Washington state hiring him as a school employee.

ICE Seattle said Alves-Rocha will remain in federal custody pending removal proceedings.

Alves-Rocha was the theater manager at Juanita High School in Kirkland, Washington, which is part of the Lake Washington School District, according to online records. He is listed on the school's performing arts page as an integral part of the arts program.

The Lake Washington School District (LWSD) released a statement to the Lynnwood Times confirming his detainment.

"We are aware that one of our employees appears to have been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We have been in contact with the employee to provide appropriate employment documentation. Due to privacy considerations, we are limited in what we can share, but we are monitoring the situation closely. Like all US employers, LWSD completes Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for all new hires - citizens and noncitizens alike," the school district wrote.

News surrounding Alves-Rocha's detainment first circulated over the weekend when one of his LWSD colleagues informed a school district parenting group on Facebook about the matter.

"I have just been told that our beloved theater director at JHS has been detained by ICE and I am wondering if anyone else in the theater community can confirm this, and if there is any way we can ensure he receives due process and help get him representation," wrote Andrea Gibson Hallberg, an Instructional Assistant at Henry David Thoreau Elementary School. "He has been an amazing mentor to my son and I want to do anything I can to help him."

Democrat state senator Manka Dhingra, deputy majority leader of the Washington State Senate, commented on Alves-Rocha's detention on Facebook, writing, "My office has reached out to our federal delegation to try to get him released."





Before ICE ERO Seattle announced Alves-Rocha's detainment in a social media post on Tuesday, detailing his criminal history and unlawful status in the United States, Sen. Dhingra released a statement to Fox 13 claiming that Alves-Rocha was an "asylum seeker" and stating that she was going to get "in contact with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene's office to see how we may be able to help Fernando."

Members of the public can report immigration-related crimes or suspicious activity by calling (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.