The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated this Monday that it is “monitoring the case” of a Portuguese citizen with permanent residency who was detained in the United States by immigration agents, assuring that it is “in contact with the American authorities.”
The ministry, overseen by Paulo Rangel, disclosed, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been following the case of this Portuguese citizen since the end of March.”
The Consul General in New Bedford has already spoken with him and his family, and contact with the American authorities is ongoing.
This Monday, it was reported that Rui Murras, who has lived in the United States since he was two, was detained while returning from an overseas trip.
On a fundraising page set up to cover legal expenses, Rui’s sister-in-law, Sofia Cabral-Murras, shared details of the case, explaining that he was detained upon his return to the U.S. after a foreign trip. He is currently under the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and held in a prison outside Massachusetts, where he resides legally.
Rui Murras, 32, has been living in the country since he was 2 and is currently detained in Portland, Maine, as his family fights for his return home.
Lusa | 18:16 – 14/04/2025
“Rui has lived in the United States since he was 2 years old. He has a good job, pays his taxes, and lives with his long-term girlfriend. He is a legal resident with a Green Card – permanent residency in the U.S. – that is valid. He traveled abroad on vacation and was detained by Border Patrol upon return due to an old criminal record,” explained Sofia Cabral-Murras.
According to the local newspaper The New Bedford Light, the Portuguese man in question, Rui Murras, 32, is currently detained in Portland, Maine, as his family fights to bring him home.
The newspaper reports that in 2012 Rui encountered legal issues when he was “charged with distributing a Class D controlled substance – typically marijuana – and conspiracy to violate drug laws.” The conspiracy charge was dismissed upon the probation department’s recommendation in July 2013.
In 2017, Murras was charged with driving under the influence, but the case was dismissed the following year after he completed an alcohol education program.
His defense believes that the detention is based on the 2012 drug trafficking charge, which had been resolved. Despite holding a permanent residency visa, Rui could face deportation, a fate awaiting many other foreign nationals.
