Latest news with #GomesdaSilva
New York Post
6 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
High schooler arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice freed after 6 days in ‘humiliating' conditions
A Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by immigration agents on his way to volleyball practice has been released from custody after a judge granted him bond Thursday. Marcelo Gomes da Silva, 18, who came to the U.S. from Brazil at age 7, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Saturday. Authorities have said the agents were looking for the Milford High School teenager's father, who owns the car Gomes da Silva was driving at the time and had parked in a friend's driveway Advertisement 5 Marcelo Gomes da Silva speaks to reporters after being released from ICE detention. AP Speaking with members of the media outside the detention center shortly after his release on $2,000 bond, Gomes da Silva described 'humiliating' conditions and said his faith helped him through his six days of detention. On his wrist, he wore a bracelet made from the thin sheet of metallic blanket he was given to sleep on the cement floor. 'I'll always remember this place,' he said. 'I'll always remember how it was.' Advertisement His lawyer, Robin Nice, told reporters after the hearing in Chelmsford that his arrest 'shouldn't have happened in the first place. This is all a waste.' 'We disrupted a kid's life. We just disrupted a community's life,' Nice said. 'These kids should be celebrating graduation and prom, I assume? They should be doing kid stuff, and it is a travesty and a waste of our judicial process to have to go through this.' She said Gomes da Silva was confined to a room holding 25 to 35 men, many twice his age, most of the time he was detained, with no windows, time outside, privacy to use the restroom or permission to shower. Advertisement 5 Supporters gather outside federal court in support of the teen who was detained by ICE last weekend. AP Nice said that at one point Gomes da Silva, who is active in his local church, asked for a Bible and was denied. Gomes da Silva, who said his father taught him to 'put other people first,' said many of the men imprisoned with him didn't speak English and didn't understand why they were there. He had to inform some of them they were being deported, and then watched them break down in tears. Advertisement 'I told every single inmate down there: When I'm out, if I'm the only one who was able to leave that place, I lost,' he said. 'I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible. If they have to be deported, so be it. But in the right way, in the right conditions. Because no one down there is treated good.' 5 da Silva was confined to a room holding 25 to 35 men, many twice his age, most of the time he was detained, with no windows, time outside, privacy to use the restroom or permission to shower. AP He said some days, he was given only crackers to eat, which he shared with cellmates. His first stop after being released was for McDonald's chicken nuggets and french fries. Not ICE's target, but detained anyway U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said earlier this week ICE officers were targeting a 'known public safety threat' and Gomes da Silva's father 'has a habit of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through residential areas.' 'While ICE officers never intended to apprehend Gomes da Silva, he was found to be in the United States illegally and subject to removal proceedings, so officers made the arrest,' she said in a statement. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said Monday that 'like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or … he's here illegally, we will take action on it.' 5 According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, Gomes da Silva's father 'has a habit of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through residential areas.' AP Upon his release, Gomes da Silva pushed back on ICE's characterizations of his father: 'Everything I got was from my dad. He's a good person. He never did anything wrong.' Advertisement When he was able to call his parents during his detainment, Gomes da Silva said his father sobbed and told him the family was scared to leave the house. Gomes da Silva initially entered the country on a visitor visa and was later issued a student visa that has since lapsed, Nice said. He told reporters he didn't know his immigration status until he was arrested. Advertisement He said an officer asked him, 'Do you know why you were arrested?' He said no. 'I told her, ma'am, I was 7 years old. I don't know nothing about that stuff,' he recalled. 'I don't understand how it works.' Nice described him as deeply rooted in his community and a dedicated member of both the school marching band and a band at his church. The immigration judge set a placeholder hearing date for a couple of weeks from Thursday, but it might take place months from that, Nice said. Advertisement 'We're optimistic that he'll have a future in the United States,' she said. A shaken community 'I love my son. We need Marcelo back home. It's no family without him,' João Paulo Gomes Pereira said in a video released Wednesday. 'We love America. Please, bring my son back.' The video showed the family in the teen's bedroom. Gomes da Silva's sister describes enjoying watching movies with her brother and the food he cooks for her: 'I miss everything about him.' Students at Milford High staged a walkout Monday to protest his detainment. Advertisement Other supporters packed the stands of the high school gymnasium Tuesday night, when the volleyball team dedicated a match to their missing teammate. 5 Milford High students staged a walkout in protest of Marcelo's detainment. AP Amani Jack, a recent Milford High graduate, said her classmate's absence loomed large over the graduation ceremony, where he was supposed to play in the band. She said if she had a chance to speak with the president, she'd ask him to 'put yourself in our shoes.' 'He did say he was going to deport criminals,' she said. 'Marcelo is not a criminal. He's a student. I really want him to take a step in our shoes, witnessing this. Try and understand how we feel. We're just trying to graduate high school.' Veronica Hernandez, a family advocate from Medford who said she works in a largely Hispanic community where ICE has had an active presence, said cases like Gomes da Silva's show immigration enforcement is serious about taking 'anybody' without legal status, not just those accused of crimes. 'I think seeing that something so simple as a child driving themselves and their friends to volleyball practice at risk struck a chord,' she said.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE speaks out following release
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, the 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way to volleyball practice last week, said following his release that he wants to help those still detained in the facility where he was held for nearly a week. "I would have to watch people cry, people with kids," the teen said during a press briefing in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Thursday after a judge granted him bond. "No one deserves to be down there." Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national who is a junior at Milford Public High School, was arrested on Saturday, according to a court filing from his attorney. He said he wasn't able to shower for six days and would sleep on a concrete floor while being held at a facility in Burlington. The teen said he would share his limited food with the other men detained and often acted as their translator because he speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. "At the end of the day, this place -- it's not a good spot to be," he said. Gomes da Silva said he would pray and talk to the other inmates about the Bible. "The only thing I could do is thank God every day," he said. MORE: Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE on way to volleyball practice granted bond by judge Gomes da Silva's arrest sparked an outcry from Massachusetts officials and the Milford community where he has lived since he came to the United States in 2012 at the age of 6. He said he never saw the public support while he was detained and is grateful for it. "We don't have TVs in there," he said. "We don't get to see the daylight." Gomes da Silva, who was driving his father's car at the time of his arrest, was pulled over and detained even though the father was the target of the operation. The father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he "has a habit of reckless driving" at speeds over 100 mph, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He has not been detained. "I heard a lot of people talk bad about my dad, but if you want to talk bad about my dad, then you have to talk bad about me, because he raised me," Gomes da Silva said. "He doesn't deserve any hate, because I was raised from him." Gomes da Silva said his dad would cry on their calls and "has never done anything wrong." "I don't want anyone to touch my dad," he said. "My dad's everything to me," he added. Gomes da Silva was granted $2,000 bond on Thursday after an immigration judge found he is not a danger to the community. Following his release, he said he went to McDonald's and had French fries, chicken nuggets and a Coke. He said he was looking forward to hugging his parents, sister, brother and dog, a mini-poodle. He was greeted by his siblings, parents and classmates once he returned home Thursday evening. Gomes da Silva said he's "optimistic" about his future and wants to help the other men detained. "My dad always taught me to be humble and to put other people first," he said. "I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible." MORE: Family members of Massachusetts teen detained by ICE plead for his release Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton said he and fellow Rep. Jake Auchincloss planned to inspect the Burlington facility where the teen was held. "This administration is not keeping us safe by keeping 18-year-old honor students in prison," Moulton said at the press briefing. "What we see here today -- it's not American. It doesn't represent our values." Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who had called for the teen's release following his arrest, said in a statement that she is "relieved that Marcelo will be returning home to his parents, siblings, classmates and the Milford community." "Marcelo never should have been arrested or detained, and it certainly did not make us safer," she said. "It's not okay that students across the state are fearful of going to school or sports practice, and that parents have to question whether their children will come home at the end of the day. In Massachusetts, we are going to keep speaking out for what's right and supporting one another in our communities." Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 and was on a student visa that has since lapsed, according to his attorney. He has no criminal history and is "eligible for and intends to apply for asylum," his attorney stated in a habeas corpus petition filed Sunday seeking his release. A federal judge issued an emergency order Sunday afternoon directing the government not to remove Gomes da Silva from the U.S. or to transfer him out of the judicial district of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. On Monday, a federal judge ordered that the government not transfer the teen out of Massachusetts without first providing the court at least 48 hours' advance notice of and reasons for the move. The government was given 14 days to respond. ICE officials defended the arrest during a briefing on Monday. "When we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them," ICE acting Field Director Patricia Hyde said at a press briefing on Monday. "We've been completely transparent with that. He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country."
7 hours ago
Massachusetts high schooler detained by ICE on way to volleyball practice speaks out following release
Marcelo Gomes da Silva, the 18-year-old Massachusetts high school student who was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on his way to volleyball practice last week, said following his release that he wants to help those still detained in the facility where he was held for nearly a week. "I would have to watch people cry, people with kids," the teen said during a press briefing in Burlington, Massachusetts, on Thursday after a judge granted him bond. "No one deserves to be down there." Gomes da Silva, a Brazilian national who is a junior at Milford Public High School, was arrested on Saturday, according to a court filing from his attorney. He said he wasn't able to shower for six days and would sleep on a concrete floor while being held at a facility in Burlington. The teen said he would share his limited food with the other men detained and often acted as their translator because he speaks English, Portuguese and Spanish. "At the end of the day, this place -- it's not a good spot to be," he said. Gomes da Silva said he would pray and talk to the other inmates about the Bible. "The only thing I could do is thank God every day," he said. Gomes da Silva's arrest sparked an outcry from Massachusetts officials and the Milford community where he has lived since he came to the United States in 2012 at the age of 6. He said he never saw the public support while he was detained and is grateful for it. "We don't have TVs in there," he said. "We don't get to see the daylight." Gomes da Silva, who was driving his father's car at the time of his arrest, was pulled over and detained even though the father was the target of the operation. The father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, was sought because he "has a habit of reckless driving" at speeds over 100 mph, according to the Department of Homeland Security. He has not been detained. "I heard a lot of people talk bad about my dad, but if you want to talk bad about my dad, then you have to talk bad about me, because he raised me," Gomes da Silva said. "He doesn't deserve any hate, because I was raised from him." Gomes da Silva said his dad would cry on their calls and "has never done anything wrong." "I don't want anyone to touch my dad," he said. "My dad's everything to me," he added. Gomes da Silva was granted $2,000 bond on Thursday after an immigration judge found he is not a danger to the community. Following his release, he said he went to McDonald's and had French fries, chicken nuggets and a Coke. He said he was looking forward to hugging his parents, sister, brother and dog, a mini-poodle. He was greeted by his siblings, parents and classmates once he returned home Thursday evening. Gomes da Silva said he's "optimistic" about his future and wants to help the other men detained. "My dad always taught me to be humble and to put other people first," he said. "I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible." Massachusetts Rep. Seth Moulton said he and fellow Rep. Jake Auchincloss planned to inspect the Burlington facility where the teen was held. "This administration is not keeping us safe by keeping 18-year-old honor students in prison," Moulton said at the press briefing. "What we see here today -- it's not American. It doesn't represent our values." Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, who had called for the teen's release following his arrest, said in a statement that she is "relieved that Marcelo will be returning home to his parents, siblings, classmates and the Milford community." "Marcelo never should have been arrested or detained, and it certainly did not make us safer," she said. "It's not okay that students across the state are fearful of going to school or sports practice, and that parents have to question whether their children will come home at the end of the day. In Massachusetts, we are going to keep speaking out for what's right and supporting one another in our communities." Gomes da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 and was on a student visa that has since lapsed, according to his attorney. He has no criminal history and is "eligible for and intends to apply for asylum," his attorney stated in a habeas corpus petition filed Sunday seeking his release. A federal judge issued an emergency order Sunday afternoon directing the government not to remove Gomes da Silva from the U.S. or to transfer him out of the judicial district of Massachusetts for at least 72 hours. On Monday, a federal judge ordered that the government not transfer the teen out of Massachusetts without first providing the court at least 48 hours' advance notice of and reasons for the move. The government was given 14 days to respond. ICE officials defended the arrest during a briefing on Monday. "When we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them," ICE acting Field Director Patricia Hyde said at a press briefing on Monday. "We've been completely transparent with that. He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country."
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Massachusetts high school student granted bail by immigration court
An immigration court judge has granted bail to Milford, Massachusetts 11th grader Marcelo Gomes Da Silva. The judge issued a $2,000 bond, which Da Silva can post. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested him on Saturday, May 31, a day before his girlfriend graduated from Milford High School. The detention hearing occurred on Thursday, June 5, in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. Da Silva, 18, was taken away by ICE agents when he was stopped May 31 on his way to volleyball practice. Federal officials said they targeted Sa Silva's father, Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, who they claim is an undocumented immigrant from Brazil. ICE said they didn't intend to arrest the 18-year-old Da Silva, but when agents realized it was him, not his father, who was driving the car, they had to detain him because he was living in the U.S. without legal status. While Gomes da Silva joined the hearing remotely via video, about a half dozen of his family and friends attended in person to support him. Dozens of friends from school and sympathetic protesters rallied outside. But Gomes da Silva's parents and siblings were not present, on his lawyer's advice to avoid the risk of being detained themselves. She later told reporters that she told his parents 'being there when he gets home is the most important thing.' DHS did not claim he was a 'danger to the public' but did say he 'is a flight risk.' To rebut that claim by demonstrating Gomes da Silva's strong ties to the community, his lawyer Robin Nice noted that he attends church twice a week and was eager to know if his volleyball team was the state tournament semifinals. (The team had lost.) Nice responded, "hopefully today,' when asked by reporters June 5 when Da Silva will be released. She expects he'll have an ankle monitor, per the current Department of Homeland Security's standard operating procedures. He is being held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility. "This kid has been sleeping on the cement floor for the past five days ‒ he's brushed his teeth twice," Nice said during a press conference held immediately after the hearing. 'It's offensive to call arresting an 18-year-old kid with no criminal record a 'collateral arrest.'" She added that her client looked forward to enjoying chicken nuggets and Snickers candy bars once he's released. A master planning hearing has been set for 9 a.m. on June 26, but Nice said that's merely a placeholder. She said Da Silva will get on the regular calendar, but nothing will happen for months ‒ or even a year ‒ because immigration courts are so backed up. "Two steps forward, but one step back," Nice said during the press conference. A separate rally to support Gomes da Silva that was supposed to occur later that afternoon in Milford Town Park was canceled. Quinn Deans, a 14-year-old 8th grader who was one of the handful to show up. He said police present told him the cancellation was due to threats of violence against the event by immigration opponents. This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Immigration court grants bail to Marcelo Gomes Da Silva of Milford, MA
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Milford High School student receives warm welcome after returning home from ICE custody
Hanging out of the car with excitement, Marcelo Gomes da Silva couldn't wait to return home to Milford on Thursday after spending six days in ICE custody. 'The only thing I wanted to do when I got back here was hug my parents, my dad, yeah, my dad means the world to me,' said Marcelo Gomes da Silva. It was a warm welcome back with a crowd of friends and his family in tears as they embraced for the first time in nearly a week. Marcelo was on his way to volleyball practice last Saturday morning when ICE took him into custody. ICE officials have said his father was the intended target, and now Marcelo says his dad is afraid to leave the house. 'He's like in a prison now himself, thank God it's in his own house, but he knows if he leaves there's a chance ICE will try to find him and get him, like to be honest, I left my house they were already following me,' said Gomes da Silva. Marcelo says ICE took him into custody because he's here on an expired visa. 'I came here when I was six, so like I know I'm an immigrant in America, but like I'm in school, I never expected it to get to that point,' said Gomes da Silva. Since his arrest, this honors student missed out on playing the drums for graduation and a volleyball playoff match Tuesday night. 'Can't believe we lost that volleyball game,' said Gomes da Silva. 'I can't wait to get back to school, I got finals!' As he tries to get back to his life heading into his senior year at Milford High, Marcelo wears a reminder on his wrist of the conditions inside the ICE facility. 'This is a bracelet that was gifted to me from a Brazilian inmate in there,' said Gomes da Silva. It's a piece of the aluminum sheets he used to sleep on a concrete floor. Marcelo also says he hadn't showered in 6 days. 'I'll always be grateful for everything I have outside of that place,' said Gomes da Silva. Standing outside the detention facility in Burlington, Marcelo hopes his case will bring awareness to the issues around immigration. 'If I'm the only one that was able to leave that place, I lost because I want to do whatever I can to get them as much help as possible,' said Gomes da Silva. The high school student was released on a $2,000 bond Thursday and is due back in court at the end of June. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
