Milford teen detained by ICE had expired student visa. Attorney says renewal can be overwhelming.
Students at Stacey Middle School rallied in support of Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old Milford High School student who was arrested by ICE agents over the weekend while on his way to volleyball practice.
Hundreds of students gathered outside of the school and chanted "Free Marcelo."
Gomes, who was in the United States on an expired student visa, has become the focal point of a growing conversation in Milford surrounding immigration policy and enforcement.
Community members say his arrest has sent shockwaves through the town and raised concerns over how undocumented immigrants are treated.
Now, some of his closest friends are speaking out about the type of person he is.
Marcelo Gomes
Gomes family photo
"Every single day at school, at volleyball, wherever he went - he had a smile on his face and was always looking to uplift others," said Ava Merill, a friend of Gomes.
His best friend and neighbor, Tyler Neuman, described Gomes as someone who pushed himself academically and socially.
"He started taking APs, he started getting more and more involved," Neuman said. "I just watched him progress and progress. Not only become a better athlete, but a better drummer, a better friend, and a better student."
Visa renewal process
The case has also raised questions over the student visa process and why many immigrants let their visas expire.
Immigration attorney Kailin Wu explained that the renewal process is often times overwhelming, particularly due to fears of detention.
"They're being much more proactive about if you show up and you do not have proper status and you are subject to mandatory detention, they will call ICE," Wu said. "I think that's also sparking a lot of fear in people. When you do get that interview notice, some people are just choosing not to show up for it because they fear being detained."
Wu added that individuals with expired visas may face penalties when trying to renew, including triggering bans on visas of three to ten years depending on the length of unlawful presence in the country. He advises that anyone nearing the end of a visa seek out an immigration attorney to help them navigate the process.
As Gomes remains in ICE custody, students and community members in Milford continue to advocate on his behalf. Many argue that the teen, known for his positive energy and dedication, does not deserve to be detained.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
29 minutes ago
- Fox News
JONATHAN TURLEY: Democrats' rabid anti-ICE resistance in LA against Trump could backfire
California Gov. Gavin Newsom was in his element over the weekend. After scenes of burning cars and attacks on ICE personnel, Newsom declared that this was all "an illegal act, an immoral act, an unconstitutional act." No, he was not speaking of the attacks on law enforcement or property. He was referring to President Donald Trump's call to deploy the National Guard to protect federal officers. Newsom is planning to challenge the deployment as cities like Glendale are cancelling contracts to house detainees and reaffirming that local police will not assist the federal government. Trump has the authority under Section 12406 of Title 10 of the U.S. Code to deploy the National Guard if the governor is "unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States." The administration is saying that that is precisely what is unfolding in California, where mobs have attacked vehicles and trapped federal personnel. Most critics are challenging the deployment on policy grounds, arguing that it is an unnecessary escalation. However, even critics like Berkeley Law Dean Erwin have admitted that "Unfortunately, President Trump likely has the legal authority to do this." There is a fair debate over whether this is needed at this time, but the president is allowed to reach a different conclusion. Trump wants the violence to end now as opposed to escalating as it did in the Rodney King riots or the later riots after George Floyd's death, causing billions in property damage and many deaths. Courts will be asked to halt the order because it did not technically go through Newsom to formally call out the National Guard. Section 12406 grants Trump the authority to call out the Guard and employs a mandatory term for governors, who "shall" issue the president's order. In the memo, Trump also instructed federal officials "to coordinate with the Governors of the States and the National Guard Bureau." Newsom is clearly refusing to issue the orders or coordinate the deployment. Even if such challenges are successful, Trump can clearly flood the zone with federal authority. Indeed, the obstruction could escalate the matter further, prompting Trump to consider using the Insurrection Act, which would allow troops to participate directly in civilian law enforcement. In 1958, President Eisenhower used the Insurrection Act to deploy troops to Arkansas to enforce the Supreme Court's orders ending racial segregation in schools. The Trump administration has already claimed that these riots "constitute a form of rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States." In support of such a claim, the administration could cite many of the Democratic leaders now denouncing the claim. After January 6th, liberal politicians and professors insisted that the riot was an "insurrection" and claimed that Trump and dozens of Republicans could be removed from ballots under the 14th Amendment. Liberal professors insisted that Trump's use of the word "fight" on January 6th and his questioning of the results of an election did qualify as an insurrection. They argued that you merely need to show "an assemblage of people" who are "resisting the law" and "using force or intimidation" for "a public purpose." The involvement of inciteful language from politicians only reinforced these claims. Sound familiar? Democrats are using this order to deflect from their own escalation of the tensions over the past several months. From Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz calling ICE officers "Gestapo" to others calling them "fascists" and "Nazis," Democratic leaders have been ignoring objections that they are fueling the violent and criminal responses. It did not matter. It was viewed as good politics. While Newsom and figures like New Jersey Democrat Sen. Cory Booker have called these "peaceful" protests, we have also seen rocks, and Molotov cocktails thrown at police as vehicles were torched. Police have had to use tear gas, "flash bang" grenades, and rubber bullets to quell these "peaceful" protesters. There appears little interest in deescalation on either side. For the Trump administration, images of rioters riding in celebration around burning cars with Mexican flags are only likely to reinforce the support of the majority of Americans for the enforcement of immigration laws. For Democrats, they have gone "all in" on opposing ICE and these enforcement operations despite support from roughly 30 percent of the public. Some Democrats are now playing directly to the mob. A Los Angeles City Council member, Eunisses Hernandez, reportedly urged anti-law enforcement protesters to "escalate" their tactics against ICE officers: "They know how quickly we mobilize, that's why they're changing tactics. Because community defense works and our resistance has slowed them down before… and if they're escalating their tactics, then so are we. When they show up, we gotta show up even stronger." So, L.A. officials are maintaining the sanctuary status of the city, barring the cooperation of local police, and calling on citizens to escalate their resistance after a weekend of violent attacks. Others have posted the locations of ICE facilities to allow better tracking of operations, while cities like Glendale are closing facilities. In Washington, House Speaker Hakim Jeffries has pledged to unmask the identities of individual ICE officers who have been covering their faces to protect themselves and their families from growing threats. While Democrats have not succeeded in making a convincing political case for opposing immigration enforcement, they may be making a stronger case for federal deployment in increasingly hostile blue cities.
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Could L.A. ICE Riots Stop the BET Awards? Here's All the Tea
As ICE and the U.S. National Guard continues to ravage the city of Los Angeles, one of the most anticipated events of the year could be in danger of getting shut down. The BET Awards is set to take place Monday (June 9), but many folks fear President Donald Trump's recent antics will spill over to the Black award show. What started as peaceful protests against Trump's unlawful immigration raids quickly took a violent turn after the president sent the National Guard to L.A. without the governor's approval. Over the weekend, the violence escalated resulting in destroyed property, fires and tear gas being thrown at civilians… And who wants to throw a party in the middle of a riot? Organizers for the annual BET Awards insist the ongoing violence will have no impact on the show. In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a spokesperson said, 'BET remains committed to the safety of our guests and staff. We are working closely with LAPD and monitoring the situation.' Despite organizers' confidence that the event will go on, many folks online noted just how insane this past weekend has been for the city. 'LA so crazy and random right now,' @NapKingColeP said on X. 'ICE raids, national guard, protesting, BET Awards weekend, and the gay pride parade.' @_itsmelimel added there's 'sooo much sh*t goin on in LA.' She continued, 'ICE protests are going on and ppl are outsideeee celebrating the BET Awards. I am overstimulated.' One TikToker said right now, Los Angeles is very 'dystopian.' @itsneyha added, 'L.A. is continuing to hustle and bustle with DOTY performances and celebrities all in town for the BET Awards while there are literally protests closing down the 101 [freeway].' Widespread violence has taken over the city, and it's going exactly to Trump's plan. The president is set on looking 'tough' as his nation-wide crackdown on immigration continues. He and Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom have previously come to blows over the state's known sanctuary cities– a city that limits cooperation with ICE and other federal immigration agencies– and now, their beef has reached a new level. Trump took to his favorite social media platform Truth Social on Monday to call for even more violence against protesters. 'Looking really bad in L.A. BRING IN THE TROOPS!!!' he said. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth came out echoing Trump's sentiments. He threatened, 'If violence continues, active-duty Marines at Camp Pendleton will also be mobilized — they are on high alert.' He added in a separate tweet 'The National Guard, and Marines if need be, stand with ICE.' Meanwhile, Gov. Newsom announced plans to sue the administration over the Guard deployment and state's rights, according to CBS News. As of now, the 2025 BET Awards will go on as scheduled starting at 8 p.m. ET Monday night.
CNN
33 minutes ago
- CNN
Los Angeles mayor blames immigration raids for violence
The situation in Los Angeles has calmed down after protesters clashed with police over the weekend. CNN witnessed police using flash-bangs and tear gas to disperse crowds, with some hitting protesters, as well as protesters setting self-driving cars on fire. The city's mayor, Karen Bass, says she blames federal immigration raids for the escalating tensions.
