Brazilian student detained by ICE granted bail
According to ICE, the target of the operation was his father, who is the owner of the vehicle the young man was driving at the time of the arrest.
The young Brazilian was arrested on his way to school; his case sparked protests and support from the community and state authorities.
An immigration judge on Thursday granted bail to Marcelo Gomes da Silva, an 18-year-old high school student detained last weekend by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His bail was set during a virtual hearing held at the Chelmsford immigration court at $2,000.
Milford High School student Gomes da Silva was arrested last Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. According to ICE, the target of the operation was his father, who owns the vehicle the young man was driving at the time of his arrest. The car was parked in front of a friend's house.
ICE justifies detention based on immigration status:
The Associated Press interviewed Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, who said officers were acting against a “known threat to public safety,” alluding to the behavior of the student’s father, who authorities say routinely drives over 100 mph in residential areas.
ICE indicated that, although they initially did not plan to detain the young man, agents confirmed during the operation that he was in the country illegally, and they proceeded with his arrest. Gomes da Silva entered the United States from Brazil with a visitor visa and later obtained a student visa, which has since expired, according to his attorney, Robin Nice.
Amid the legal proceedings, a federal judge ordered Gomes da Silva not to be transferred out of Massachusetts without 48 hours' notice to the court. The government requested that Gomes be transferred to a detention center in another New England state, but the request was denied.
Last Monday, Milford High students organized a walkout to demand his release. The following day, classmates and supporters attended the school volleyball game wearing white jerseys, in honor of Gomes da Silva.
Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts, addressed the controversy on her official X account: “Marcelo has lived in Milford since he was five years old. He is a student, athlete, and member of the school band. He should be in school with his friends and classmates, not in a detention center. I am calling on ICE to do the right thing and release Marcelo,” the governor exclaimed.
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