A visiting instructor at Harvard Law School, Carlos Portugal Gouvêa, has departed the United States following the revocation of his visa by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This decision came after Gouvêa was involved in an incident where he fired a BB gun near a synagogue during Yom Kippur, a significant Jewish holiday. His departure was confirmed by both DHS and his attorney on Thursday.
Gouvêa’s troubles began on October 1, 2023, when he was arrested shortly after police received reports of shots fired near Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Massachusetts. According to the police report, private security at the temple reported hearing “at least two loud shots” during the holiday services. Officers found Gouvêa with the BB gun and engaged in a brief physical struggle before he was taken into custody.
Initially, Gouvêa faced multiple charges, including illegally discharging a BB gun and vandalism. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, but a plea agreement resulted in the dismissal of all but one misdemeanor charge. He was placed on a six-month probation and ordered to pay $386.59 in restitution for damages caused during the incident. If Gouvêa adheres to the terms of his probation, the remaining charge will be dismissed after six months without requiring further court appearances.
The DHS characterized the shooting as an antisemitic act, prompting the revocation of Gouvêa’s J-1 visa, which is designated for individuals participating in exchange visitor programs. In a statement, Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin emphasized that working and studying in the U.S. is a privilege that comes with responsibilities, stating, “There is no room in the United States for brazen, violent acts of anti-Semitism.”
Contrary to the DHS’s assessment, Temple Beth Zion publicly stated that the incident did not appear to be motivated by antisemitism. Following the event, police indicated that Gouvêa claimed he was “hunting rats” and was unaware of the religious significance of the location or the holiday.
Upon his departure, Gouvêa returned to Brazil, where he serves as an associate professor at the University of São Paulo Law School and CEO of the Global Law Institute, a think tank focused on environmental and social justice. His attorney, Joseph D. Eisenstadt, confirmed his arrival in Brazil on Thursday.
Following Gouvêa’s arrest, Celso Fernandes Campilongo, the director of the University of São Paulo’s Law School, condemned the accusations against him, highlighting Gouvêa’s advocacy for human rights and his connections to the Jewish community.
The university’s website lists Gouvêa as a visiting professor for the upcoming fall 2025 semester, where he was set to teach courses on corruption and sustainable capitalism. This incident has raised significant discussions about the implications of such actions in academic contexts and the responsibilities of international scholars in the U.S.
