Family of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE pleads for his return, "No family without him."
Family of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE pleads for his safe return
Family of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE pleads for his safe return
Family of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE pleads for his safe return
The family of 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes of Milford, Massachusetts is pleading with immigration officials to release the high school junior.
Gomes, who is originally from Brazil, was driving to volleyball practice Saturday morning when he was pulled over and taken into custody by several ICE agents.
In a video released by the family's attorney Tuesday night, Marcelo's parents asked ICE to free their son.
"Please bring my son back"
"Please bring my son back. I miss my son so much," Marcelo's mother said in the video. "I Miss my son inside my home. I need to hug my son."
ICE said the target of the operation was Marcelo's father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, who appeared in the video.
"Hello ICE. My name is Joao Paulo, Marcelo's father," he said.
Marcelo Gomes was detained by ICE in Milford, Massachusetts.
Gomes family photo
"I love my son. We need Marcelo back home, it's no family without him," Marcelo's father said. "We love America. Please bring my son back."
Marcelo's younger siblings also asked for his return. "When he gets back, I'm going to give him a really big hug," Marcelo's brother said. "But ICE, please get him out. Please."
Gomes is being held at an ICE detention center in Burlington, Massachusetts and will have a hearing in this case on Thursday afternoon.
Gomes's attorney, Robin Nice, said he entered the country when he was 7 years old in 2013 on a visitor visa, which later changed to an international visa, and that has subsequently lapsed.
A spokesperson for the Gomes family told WBZ he's in a facility without beds, has been given little food, mostly crackers, and has caught some sort of virus.
Support for Marcelo at volleyball game
At the Milford High School volleyball game Tuesday night, hundreds of people wore white in support of the junior who was not on the court.
"People were screaming, people were clapping," said Ben Pezza, Gomes's classmate. "It was probably one of the best games I have seen at Milford High."
The community has been rocked by the arrest. There are signs of support all around town on cars, T-shirts and they lined the walls of the gym too.
"It's honestly really sad to see how this is happening and it's honestly really touching because he is really great," said student Mellany De Silva.
"For me to hear the news about him being locked up and stuff. It's like why? He didn't do anything wrong. I just love him. He is my friend," said student Aloyie Okhipo.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
32 minutes ago
- New York Post
Trump admin officials blast LA Mayor Karen Bass' response to ICE raids — as cops clash with violent protesters
Several Trump administration officials fired back at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Friday after she pledged to oppose federal efforts to nab illegal immigrants — as cops in her city had to use flash bangs to disperse the violent mob of protesters who descended on the arrest sites. 'We will not stand for this,' Bass said in a statement released after federal immigration authorities arrested 44 people in raids across Los Angeles. 'I am deeply angered by what has taken place,' the Democrat mayor fumed, noting that her office 'is in close coordination with immigrant rights community organizations.' Advertisement 4 Bass slammed the Los Angeles immigration enforcement raids in a social media post. AFP via Getty Images White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller quickly dismissed Bass' declaration. 'You have no say in this at all,' Miller shot back on social media. Advertisement 'Federal law is supreme and federal law will be enforced,' he noted on X. Miller was one of several Trump administration officials that took issue with Bass' statements. 'They're Illegals. Not 'immigrants.' One just tried to burn Americans alive in Boulder,' White House adviser Sebastian Gorka wrote on X, referring to Colorado terror suspect Mohamed Soliman. The Egyptian national overstayed his tourist visa before allegedly firebombing a peaceful march for Israeli hostages still held by Hamas on Sunday in a heinous antisemitic attack. Advertisement 'If you're aiding and abetting them you're a criminal too,' Gorka said in response to the LA mayor's comments. 'Are you ready to be treated as a criminal? 'Because we are ready to treat you as one if you commit a crime,' he warned. 4 Miller noted that Bass has 'no say' in federal immigration enforcement. Chris Kleponis – CNP / MEGA 4 Miller was one of several Trump administration officials who reacted strongly to Bass' statement on the ICE raids. Stephen Miller, /X Advertisement Justice Department official Harmeet K. Dhillon was stunned by Bass' understanding of the law. 'It's amazing the number of elected officials who don't grasp the basics of federalism, or federal sovereignty over immigration issues, or the First Amendment,' Dhillon tweeted. The Los Angeles immigration raids sparked protests at the arrest sites, and at least one person was taken into custody for allegedly obstructing federal law enforcement. 'Federal agents were executing a lawful judicial warrant at a LA worksite this morning when David Huerta deliberately obstructed their access by blocking their vehicle,' US Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. 'He was arrested for interfering with federal officers and will face arraignment in federal court on Monday.' 'Let me be clear: I don't care who you are — if you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted.' Huerta is president of the California branch of the influential Service Employees International Union. 4 The raids sparked protests in Los Angeles. AP Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin decried the city's response to protesters' clashes with federal agents – which escalated hours after the raids. Advertisement 'Assaulting ICE enforcement officers, slashing tires, defacing buildings. 800 protestors have surrounded and breached the first layer of a federal law enforcement building in LA,' McLaughlin wrote on X. '@LAPD has not responded.' 'This violence against @ICEgov must stop.' Richard Grenell, President Trump's envoy for special missions, blamed Bass for the unrest. 'Karen Bass whipped all of this up. She attacked the rule of law. She undermined democracy,' Grenell wrote on X, sharing images of protesters attempting to block federal law enforcement vehicles. Advertisement 'The @MayorOfLA is creating chaos in LA,' he fumed. With Post wires
CBS News
32 minutes ago
- CBS News
Family of teenage girl killed in Aurora shooting says violence must stop, shares compassion for accused shooter's family
The Colorado family of a 15-year-old killed in Aurora remembered the teen with a balloon release on Friday. K'tahna Smith was killed Sunday during a pop-up party that turned violent. Her mother, Cynthia Coleman, sat beside her daughter's cousins and siblings as they described the bright, loving teen who danced, played basketball, and dreamed of becoming a pediatrician. K'tahna Smith Smith Family "She was just so full of life," Coleman said. "She liked to dance, sing, laugh, joke, play around. She played basketball. She was on the dance team. They even made the news this year trying to raise money to go to a national competition." Family members described her as the "mom" of the group -- a protective and responsible teen who took care of those around her. Even in her final moments, she was trying to make sure her cousins were safe. "When she was running, she was yelling, 'Duck! Duck!' She wanted to make sure they were OK. That was just who she was," said her cousin. Coleman said K'tahna was present but not involved in the altercations shown in video provided by police. APD said these parties hosted "girl fight clubs." "She wasn't in those fights," Coleman said. "She was there, but she wasn't a violent person. She was probably the life of the party that night, getting everyone dancing. But she wasn't a fighter -- she defended herself when needed, but she wasn't a troublemaker." One of her cousins -- the 20-year-old also shot that night -- remains hospitalized. Another cousin, tearfully speaking through the pain, said K'tahna didn't deserve this. Smith Family "I really hate that she had to go through that, and I really miss her," she said. "It hurts so bad that people think it's funny. My cousin was kind, loving, and so friendly. You couldn't say anything bad about her." The family is heartbroken, adding that online bullies have mocked her death. "It's disgusting. These kids are laughing at her being dead," Coleman said. "To the parents of those kids -- please talk to your children. This could be anyone's child." Despite the devastating loss, the family has compassion to the accused shooter's family. "Our hearts and prayers go out to that family, too," said K'tahna's dad. "Nobody wins in this. They lost someone too in a different way." K'tahna had just started her first job and had been planning to return to basketball. She hoped to go to college and eventually work in pediatrics. Her mother says she was determined and good at anything she put her mind to. "She was beyond her years," Coleman said. "So mature for 15. My responsible one. She was team captain. She was everything." In the wake of her daughter's death, Coleman plans to start advocating against youth violence in Aurora, joining other parents who've lost children to senseless shootings. "I'm going to get out here, and I'm going to fight for our kids," she said. "For my baby." The family wants the community to remember K'tahna not for how she died, but how she lived. "She had a beautiful soul," one cousin said. "Her smile was contagious. You'd never forget her once you met her."
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Apopka family faces deportation following ICE arrest
The Brief Small business owner Esvin Juarez has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas, while his wife, Rosmeri Miranda, wears an ankle monitor in Florida. Their children, who are United States citizens, face the possibility of their parents being deported to Guatemala, leaving the eldest daughter to care for her siblings. The family is working with attorney Grisel Ybarra to reopen their immigration case and pursue legal action. APOPKA, Fla. - An Apopka family is facing deportation charges after the father of the family was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The couple's children are United States citizens and say they are deeply affected by the situation. What we know Esvin Juarez is currently being held in a detention facility in Texas by ICE. His wife, Rosmeri Miranda, is under surveillance with an ankle monitor in Florida. The couple's children, including 21-year-old Beverly Juarez, are U.S. citizens and say they are deeply affected by the situation. The family has been in the U.S. for more than 20 years, running a successful concrete business. The backstory Juarez and Miranda said they missed an immigration hearing shortly after arriving in the U.S., resulting in a deportation order issued in absentia. Juarez said he was a victim of assault and has been seeking a U-Visa and a work permit, which would allow him to stay in the U.S. while his application is pending. What they're saying FOX 35's Matt Trezza spoke with Beverly Juarez at the family's Apopka home. Beverly Juarez expressed her fears and stress over potentially having to care for her younger siblings alone if her parents are deported. "They complied every single time, and we had hopes that everything was looking good," she said. "You know, all along the process. And so, I had a lot of shock. But now, all I can do is pray." Trezza also spoke with the family's attorney, Grisel Ybarra, by phone. Ybarra highlighted the family's achievements and contrasted them with the challenges they face under current immigration policies. "They broke through ethnic barriers, language barriers, race barriers and became a success," she said. "In Apopka. In the middle of Florida." What's next The family is working with Ybarra to file a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the deportation order and seek relief. ICE has been contacted for further information on the case, and the family awaits their response. Big picture view Florida has recently implemented a series of laws aimed at cracking down on undocumented immigration, including making it a crime to knowingly enter or attempt to enter the state illegally, and increasing penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. These measures have been met with concern from some, who fear the potential for widespread arrests and due process violations. Why you should care This story underscores the human impact of immigration policies and the challenges faced by families striving for life in the U.S. amidst legal uncertainties. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information gathered by FOX 35's Matt Trezz in interviews with Beverly Juarez and Attorney Grisel Ybarra.
