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Immigration authorities have arrested a Brazilian man from Sewickley, Pennsylvania, alleging he made false statements on federal paperwork when attempting to purchase a firearm last year. According to a criminal complaint filed by McCandless police in January, Bruno Guedes da Silva incorrectly answered “no” to a question asking whether he was an alien unlawfully present in the United States.
The complaint states that Guedes da Silva, 38, tried to buy a Glock 43 handgun at Midwest Shooting Center in the McCandless Crossing shopping plaza on July 2, 2024. When authorities reviewed his immigration status, they determined he was “not legally in the United States and is currently under removal proceedings.”
Curiously, McCandless police only received information about Guedes da Silva’s background check from Pennsylvania State Police on January 8, approximately 18 months after his attempted firearm purchase. The packet provided to detectives listed Guedes da Silva as an “Illegal Alien,” which was cited as the basis for denying the gun purchase.
Four days later, on January 12, McCandless police contacted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and confirmed Guedes da Silva’s illegal status in the country, according to the complaint.
ICE agents apprehended Guedes da Silva and his wife on Sunday morning in Glen Osborne, near Osborne Elementary School, where the couple’s 6-year-old daughter attends classes. The child, identified as Maria, has been receiving cancer treatment in Pittsburgh and has since returned to her mother’s care, according to family spokeswoman Hadley Haas.
As of Wednesday, Guedes da Silva was being held at the Northern Regional Correctional Facility and Jail near Moundsville, West Virginia.
The arrest has sparked significant concern within the Sewickley community. At a workshop meeting on Tuesday night, Sewickley Borough Council President Cynthia Mullins reported that 25 to 30 community members expressed worries about ICE targeting local residents. Mullins assured attendees that local law enforcement would not assist with ICE investigations.
U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio, a Democrat representing Fox Chapel, stated on Monday via social media that Guedes da Silva possessed valid work authorization, a Social Security number, and a driver’s license, suggesting he had some legal status in the country.
However, an ICE spokesperson contradicted this characterization, telling TribLive that Guedes da Silva “was previously arrested by the Border Patrol on May 1, 2022, after he illegally entered the United States and was released into the U.S. by the Biden administration.”
Mark Harley, an immigration lawyer who chairs the Allegheny County Bar Association’s immigration section, offered clarification on this apparent contradiction. He explained that Guedes da Silva’s Employment Authorization Document—which allows non-citizens to work legally in the United States for a specific period—does not necessarily indicate lawful presence in the country or eligibility to purchase firearms.
Harley further noted that while Guedes da Silva entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, many temporary protective statuses established under that administration have since been rescinded under President Donald Trump. It remains unclear whether Guedes da Silva had protective status or why he originally left Brazil.
The case highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy, gun laws, and community impact. Neither McCandless police nor state police responded to media requests for additional information.
Meanwhile, community support for the family has been substantial. By Wednesday evening, a GoFundMe campaign established for Guedes da Silva’s family had raised over $97,000, reflecting significant local concern about the family’s situation, particularly given their young daughter’s ongoing medical challenges.
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8 Comments
This story about a Brazilian man charged with making false statements to purchase a firearm while in the U.S. illegally raises some complex issues at the intersection of immigration and gun laws. It will be interesting to see how this case plays out in court.
While I understand the importance of enforcing immigration laws, I hope this situation is handled fairly and with due process. Making false statements on a federal form is a serious offense, but the details around this individual’s immigration status seem murky.
While making false statements on a federal form is clearly illegal, the details around this individual’s immigration status seem murky. I hope the case is evaluated fairly and without undue bias.
This is certainly a complex case that touches on some hot-button issues. I’ll be following the developments with an open mind, hoping for a fair and impartial legal process.
Curious to learn more about the timeline here – it seems there was a significant delay between the attempted gun purchase and when authorities were informed of the individual’s immigration status. I wonder what led to that delay and if it will impact the case.
Good point. The delay in sharing information between law enforcement agencies could be an important factor. Transparency around the process will be key in evaluating this case.
Interesting to see this intersection of immigration enforcement and gun laws. I’m curious to learn more about the specifics of how these types of cases are typically handled and what the legal precedents are.
Immigration and firearms are both sensitive and highly politicized topics. I hope this case is handled objectively, without undue rhetoric or political agendas, and that the facts speak for themselves.