Parents of Milford teen speak out after ICE arrest

The recent arrest of a Milford High School student, Marcelo Gomes da Silva, has ignited a wave of concern and outrage in both his local community and beyond. On that fateful day, federal agents descended upon the family’s vehicle as Gomes was parked in a driveway, waiting to take a classmate to volleyball practice. The initial inquiry, focused on his birthplace, quickly escalated to an unexpected and alarming arrest—a scenario that left his family bewildered and devastated.

Gomes, a Brazilian-American teen, has no criminal history. His mother, Daiane Pereira, described him as a “golden boy” dedicated to academics, sports, and community service. “He never stopped studying, playing, and dedicating himself to achieving his goals,” she emphasized. He actively participates in his high school’s volleyball team, engages in church youth groups, and even plays drums during worship services. For those who know him, it’s hard to fathom how someone like him could find himself in this predicament.

The roots of Gomes’s arrest lie in an operation targeting his father, Gomes Pereira. Patricia Hyde, the director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations in Boston, clarified that Gomes was not their intended target. They were searching for his father, who had previously been stopped by local authorities for reckless driving. In a scenario that has become increasingly common, Gomes was detained as “collateral”—a practice recently criticized by many and one that seems particularly unjust in this case.

This incident has sparked a fervent response from the community and raised broader questions about immigration enforcement policies. Many local residents, educators, and advocates are grappling with the disturbing implications of such actions. “We, immigrants, are not criminals. We came here to work, to provide a better future for our family,” stated Pereira, using her own family’s experience to highlight the contributions immigrants make to society.

Federal immigration officials attributed the situation to what they labeled “sanctuary jurisdictions”—areas that do not cooperate fully with immigration enforcement. Hyde stated that if local authorities provided support during operations, ICE agents would not have to search within communities for those unlawfully present.

As the news unfolded, students at Milford High School and their teachers organized protests in solidarity with Gomes. The sentiment among students was clear: If a dedicated teen could be arrested on his way to practice, the safety and well-being of many others within their community of immigrant families was in jeopardy. Eighth-grade English teacher Matt Zaccarino expressed this fear, stating, “It’s terrible what’s happening here in this community,” stressing the fear and panic that has overtaken local families.

In light of the growing backlash, Governor Maura Healey publicly condemned the detention, stating she was “disturbed and outraged.” While supporting the arrest of individuals with actual criminal records, she maintained that ICE must be held accountable for mistakenly detaining innocent individuals like Gomes.

At the center of it all, Gomes was just a 16-year-old kid with dreams of becoming a professional volleyball player. He moved to the U.S. from Brazil with his parents at 6 years old. Despite his aspirations and the letters of interest he has received from college volleyball coaches, his future now hangs in the balance while he is detained in a Burlington facility, sharing a cell with 25 other men, none of whom speak English. The gravity of his situation weighs heavily on his family, particularly his mother’s hopes for his future as a U.S. citizen.

With a habeas petition currently pending in U.S. District Court, his legal counsel strives to secure his release as they navigate the complexities of immigration law. There is a sense of urgency, as Judge George O’Toole Jr. has given the government limited time to respond to their petition.

The fear reverberating through the Brazilian community and other immigrant families in Milford cannot be overstated. The chilling reality that an exemplary student could face such harsh treatment is a stark reminder of the broader implications of current immigration protocols. As neighborhoods grapple with their implications, support for Gomes and his family is paramount.

Pereira shared her heartfelt concern for her son, hoping that the fear he is experiencing does not deter him from his dreams. “I hope from the bottom of my heart that this scare he’s experiencing doesn’t impact his dreams and doesn’t lead him to give up,” she said. “That’s my biggest concern. That he’d stop being the dreamer boy he is.”

In the midst of protests, community support, and legal struggles, it is crucial to remember that this is not just a story about an arrested teen; it is a reflection of the larger immigration system and the sentiments it stirs within communities. As the case progresses, there is a collective hope that justice will be served, and that the community’s voice will not be silenced.

The narratives unfolding in Milford highlight the urgent need for reform, compassion, and understanding within our immigration system. The future of many families depends on how we respond to incidents like these—where the line between safety and liberty has been drawn dangerously thin. In the spirit of solidarity, we must advocate for fairness and humanity in immigration policies to protect individuals like Gomes, who aspire to enrich our society with their talents.

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