Students at Milford High School in Massachusetts staged a walkout on Monday to protest the arrest of their classmate, 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, by ICE agents over the weekend.
Gomes Da Silva was on his way to volleyball practice when he was detained over the weekend by ICE agents who were reportedly seeking his father. A Brazilian national, Gomes Da Silva entered the U.S. in 2012 on a student visa, which has since lapsed, according to a court filing by his attorney. The filing states that he is eligible for asylum and plans to apply.
His lawyer emphasized that Gomes Da Silva has "no criminal record anywhere in the world" and argued that his detention is unlawful. He is currently being held at ICE’s Boston field office, and a petition has been filed seeking his immediate release.
Da Silva’s detention quickly sparked protests and student activism. On Monday, dozens of students staged a walkout in solidarity with their classmate, holding signs and wearing T-shirts that read “Free Marcelo.” One video shows a visibly emotional student named Julianys Rentas Figueroa, who was Gomes Da Silva's girlfriend.
The protests took place after Milford High School's graduation ceremony; Gomes Da Silva was slated to perform with the school band at the commencement before his arrest.
You can see footage of the protests below.
- YouTubewww.youtube.com
In response to the news of Gomes Da Silva's arrest, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called for his release, stressing that he "should be in school with friends and teammates — not in a detention center."
Many others have condemned the Trump administration's actions and have called for Gomes Da Silva's release.
Federal officials have confirmed Gomes Da Silva was not the intended target of the ICE operation that led to his detainment.
Todd Lyons, acting director of ICE, said agents had been attempting to locate Gomes Da Silva’s father when they stopped the vehicle, which was registered in the father’s name. Upon discovering that Gomes was in the country unlawfully, Lyons said, agents arrested him.
Noting that Gomes Da Silva's father has not come forward, Lyons said Gomes Da Silva will have an opportunity to plead his case before an immigration judge.
He also said:
"I didn’t say he was dangerous, I said he was in this country illegally, and we’re not going to walk away from anybody."
Rentas Figueroa, Gomes Da Silva's girlfriend, said she spoke to him initially and that he said he is currently sleeping on the floor of a holding cell with dozens of other men. She has not heard from him since, noting that he relayed when he first arrived that authorities "had put chains around his ankles and on his wrists."
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