Protests have erupted over the arrest of an 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who state officials say was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents over the weekend while on his way to volleyball practice.
Students at the high school staged a walkout on Monday in support of Gomes da Silva, holding signs that said “Free Marcelo.”
Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 through a student visa, which has since lapsed, according to his attorney.
“I’m disturbed and outraged by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday,” Healey said in a statement on X on Sunday.
Pressed by reporters on whether Gomes da Silva was a danger to the community, Lyons said, “I didn’t say he was dangerous.
A Massachusetts high school student, 18, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers over the weekend while he was traveling to volleyball practice, according to state officials, sparking protests.
A court filing from Marcelo Gomes da Silva’s lawyer states that the Brazilian national, a junior at Milford Public High School, was taken into custody on Saturday.
Students carrying signs that read “Free Marcelo” participated in a walkout at the high school on Monday in support of Gomes da Silva. The protest came after local protests demanding his release were held at Milford Town Hall on Sunday.
According to ICE officials, the teen, who is currently in their custody, was a collateral arrest and was not the intended target of the operation.
At a press briefing on Monday, Patricia Hyde, acting Field Director for ICE, stated, “We are going to arrest people who are in the community illegally.”. “We have been totally open about that. He is eighteen. He is in this nation illegally. “..”.
According to acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, the operation’s real target was Gomes da Silva’s father. According to the Department of Homeland Security, the father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he “has a habit of reckless driving” at speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Lyons stated during the briefing that Gomes da Silva was driving the father’s car when agents stopped it. According to him, the father has not yet turned himself in.
The U was entered by Gomes da Silva. A. through a student visa in 2012, but his lawyer claims that it has since expired. His lawyer claimed in a habeas corpus petition filed on Sunday that he is “eligible for and intends to apply for asylum” and has no criminal history.
On Sunday afternoon, a federal judge issued an emergency order prohibiting the government from removing Gomes da Silva from the United States. A. or to remove him for a minimum of 72 hours from the Massachusetts judicial district. A federal judge ruled Monday that the government must give the court at least 48 hours’ notice and justification for the teen’s transfer before it can take the teen out of Massachusetts.
Although Gomes da Silva is listed as being in custody on the ICE detainee locator website, it is unclear where he is being held. “On information and belief” that ICE is holding him at a field office in Burlington, Massachusetts, according to his habeas petition.
Governor of Massachusetts. According to Maura Healey, she is “demanding immediate answers from ICE” regarding the teen’s arrest, the location of his detention, and “how his due process is being supported.”. “.”.
According to Healey’s statement on X on Sunday, “I’m outraged and disturbed by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday.”. “Law enforcement and local officials have once again been left in the dark, received no warning, and received no responses to their inquiries. “.
According to a statement from Milford’s superintendent of schools, Kevin McIntyre, the student was held off-campus, and ICE has also detained a number of parents in recent weeks.
“We are all distraught by this news,” McIntyre said in a statement. The Milford Public Schools assist all of our students and families, including those who are new to the United States, and have no role in immigration enforcement. They are neighbors, friends, neighbors, musicians, artists, athletes representing Milford, and students in our classrooms. In these trying times, we will exert every effort to assist our students and their families. “.
The Boston ABC affiliate WCVB said that Gomes da Silva was scheduled to perform in the band at the high school’s graduation on Sunday. Still wearing their caps and gowns, a few graduates marched from the ceremony to the Milford Town Hall protest.
The teenager’s arrest shocked and dismayed his friends. Julianys Rentas, his girlfriend, told WCVB that he plays drums for her church.
“He’s a member of his community and he’s never done anything wrong,” she fought back tears as she spoke to the station.
U. S. Rep. Attending the rally on Sunday, Jake Auchincloss also expressed shock at the teen’s arrest.
The Democrat told WCVB, “I don’t see how a kid who is an honors student, a musician in the high school band, and on his way to volleyball— that kid is not a threat to law and order.”.
Hyde said that as part of a massive operation, ICE detained 1,461 “alien offenders” in the area in May. Seven hundred and ninety percent had “significant criminality as well,” she said.
When asked if Gomes da Silva posed a threat to the community, Lyons responded, “I didn’t say he was dangerous.”. His presence in this country is illegal, I said. “,”.
Adding, “We’re not going to walk away from anybody,”.
This report was contributed to by Luke Barr and James Hill of ABC News.
