Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu Coach Thiago Brito Detained by ICE, Students Launch Fundraising Campaign

Thiago Brito, a Brazilian black‑belt jiu‑jitsu instructor who has taught in Pennsylvania for about ten years, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Philadelphia International Airport while boarding a flight to Orlando for a tournament. The detention sparked a grassroots campaign by his students, their families and the Tri State Kickboxing and MMA academy. Children sent letters, drawings and videos praising Brito as a mentor, and a crowdfunding effort raised roughly US$ 28‑29 k toward a US$ 35 k goal to cover legal fees and lost income.

Brito entered the United States on a B‑2 tourist visa, which permits stays of up to six months, and his request for a work authorization was denied. The case highlights ICE’s heightened airport enforcement of visa violations, a policy that has kept tens of thousands of migrants in custody nationwide.