Latest news with #JoaoPauloGomesPereira
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Massachusetts teen detained by ICE describes conditions as "abhorrent," attorney says
Attorneys for the Milford teenager who was detained over the weekend met with him at the ICE field office in Burlington, Massachusetts where he's been held since he was taken into custody. "He has a cold. He is describing conditions he is in as being abhorrent and frankly embarrassing for our country," said attorney Robin Nice. Milford teen taken to hospital Gomes' attorneys said he has had little food, is sleeping on the floor because the field office is out of beds, and was taken to the hospital Tuesday for concerns he had a concussion. "He is very tired. He is not sleeping well," said Attorney Miriam Conrad. "The lights are on all night long. He is not getting any fresh air or natural sunlight." Marcelo Gomes Gomes family photo Marcelo Gomes, 18, of Milford, was driving his father's car when ICE pulled him over on Saturday. Gomes' attorneys tell WBZ-TV he entered the country legally when he was seven, but that visa has expired. In a briefing on Monday, federal immigration officials said Gomes is in the United States illegally and revealed Gomes' father was their intended target. Joao-Paulo Gomes-Pereira made a plea directly to ICE alongside Marcelo's mother and siblings, in a video message first obtained by WBZ-TV. Asked about volleyball, finals week "He wanted to know the result of the volleyball team's match yesterday," said Nice. "He asked about his finals schedule because he is in finals week for school. Things a teenage kid would be concerned about." Nice will lead the efforts Thursday, when Gomes makes his first appearance in immigration court. That's where she will file a petition for his release with the goal of being granted bail. "This kid has no criminal record," said Nice. "He has never been in detention or suspended from school, he is the poster child of what you want your kids to grow up and become." If Gomes is granted bail on Thursday, the case against him would move forward. Nice said immigration courts are backlogged, and it could take years for his case to run its course. Gomes, according to his attorneys, would be able to pursue multiple avenues to gain asylum or change his immigration status as his case progresses.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
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.
CBS News
7 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Milford, Massachusetts high school student in ICE custody will have hearing Thursday
Cousin of Milford teen detained by ICE says he wants to go back to school Cousin of Milford teen detained by ICE says he wants to go back to school Cousin of Milford teen detained by ICE says he wants to go back to school Marcelo Gomes, the Milford, Massachusetts high school student currently detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), will have a hearing in his case Thursday, his attorney said. Gomes, an 18-year-old junior at Milford High School, was driving to volleyball practice Saturday morning when he was pulled over by several ICE agents and taken into custody. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said the agents were looking for his father but detained the teen because they say he is also in the country illegally. The car Gomes was driving was registered to his father, 38-year-old Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira. Marcelo Gomes immigration hearing Gomes is being held at an ICE detention center in Burlington, Massachusetts. A judge has ordered that Gomes should not be moved until his hearing Thursday afternoon at an immigration court in Chelmsford. "At that time, we will request his release from ICE custody on bond," Gomes's attorney Robin Nice said in a statement Tuesday. "He's 18 years old. He's unlawfully in this country and, unfortunately, we had to go to Milford to look for someone else and we came across him and he was arrested," Patricia Hyde, the ICE Boston field office director, told reporters Monday. Nice said Gomes "entered the United States lawfully when he was just barely 7-years old." "He is deeply rooted in his community-active in his church, a dedicated member of both his high school marching band and church band, and surrounded by friends, teachers, and mentors who care deeply about him," she said in her statement. "Marcelo has no criminal history. His strong community ties, consistent academic achievement, and involvement in positive extracurricular and faith-based activities underscore the fact that he poses no danger to the community and is not a flight risk. We are hopeful the court will recognize this, and grant his release on bond so Marcelo can return to his family and community." ICE at Milford home Gomes's cousin Julia Sampaio said the family's home in Milford has been surrounded by ICE agents since the teen's arrest Saturday. "His dad hasn't turned himself in yet and his dad knows he's the target," Lyons told reporters Monday in Boston.
CBS News
02-06-2025
- General
- CBS News
ICE agents who detained Milford, Massachusetts student were looking for his father, feds say
The Milford, Massachusetts high school student who was detained by federal agents over the weekend on his way to volleyball practice was not the intended target, ICE said Monday. It was his father. Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old junior at Milford High School, was driving to practice with three teammates Saturday morning when his car was pulled over by three unmarked vehicles. Gomes was taken into custody. His family said he's being held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Burlington. Marcelo Gomes Gomes family photo ICE target was Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira ICE didn't comment on the incident during the weekend, but issued a statement Monday afternoon that said, "The target of the operation was Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira, an illegally present Brazilian alien." ICE spokesman Mike Alvarez said officers spotted his car Saturday morning and stopped it "with the intention of apprehending Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira." "Officers identified the target's vehicle, and initiated a vehicle stop with the intention of apprehending Joao Paulo Gomes-Pereira. Upon conducting the vehicle stop, officers arrested Marcelo Gomes-Da Silva, an illegally present, 18-year-old Brazilian alien and the son of the intended target. Gomes-DaSilva was found to be in the United States illegally and subject to removal proceedings, so officers made the arrest. Gomes-DaSilva remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings," Alavarez said. Gomes-Pereira, 38, was not in custody as of Monday afternoon. Federal immigration authorities said he "has a habit of reckless driving at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour through residential areas endangering Massachusetts residents." "I didn't say he was dangerous" At a news conference in Boston Monday, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons was asked - what's the danger of an 18-year-old to that community? "I'll put it back on you," he told reporters. "What about an 18-year-old that was stopped for a traffic violation by Mass. State Police who's wanted for being a habitual traffic offender on his way to graduation? Would you be asking that same question to the Mass. State Police for not arresting him? Like I didn't say he was dangerous, I said he's in this country illegally. We're not going to walk away from anybody." "His dad hasn't turned himself in yet and his dad knows he's the target," Lyons said. Milford Police Chief Robert Dusino said his department didn't learn about Marcelo Gomes's detention until after it happened Saturday. Milford High School walkout for Marcelo Gomes Several of Gomes's classmates at Milford High School walked out of classes Monday afternoon in support of Gomes. Many held signs, including one banner that said "Free Marcelo."
