High school student was arrested while driving his father’s vehicle. Action of agents motivated protests in Massachusetts. Governor also asked for the young man’s release.
A federal judge of the US state of Massachusetts ordered on Thursday (05/06) the release of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, an 18-year-old Brazilian student who arrived in the United States at the age of five and was arrested by the Immigration Service (ICE) last Saturday on his way to a volleyball training.
Marcelo, who is attending high school, was arrested for five days, during which he slept on concrete floor, without access to a shower and in an environment with men twice his age, the press lawyer, Robin Nice, told the press.
“This should not have happened. They caused disruption to the lives of a young man and a community. These young people should be celebrating their graduation,” he added.
Despite being in the US for 13 years, Marcelo has considered irregular status and had to pay bail of $ 2,000 ($ 11,000).
Young man was arrested while driving his father’s car
The Department of Internal Security (DHS) argued that the authorities detained the young man because they found that he was “illegally” in the country when driving his father’s vehicle. The department stated that the agents were looking for the young man’s father, who had been classified by the agency as a “danger to public safety” by driving speeding frequently.
“Although Ice agents were not intended to arrest Gomes da Silva, he was illegally found in the US and subject to deportation process, so the agents made the arrest,” DHS said in a statement.
The judge, however, acknowledged that Marcelo is entitled to due process.
Marcelo’s arrest led to protests in Milford, Massachusetts | Brian Snyder/Reuters
Hundreds of friends, classmates and Brazilian teachers have protested to demand his liberation in recent days. Milford High students organized a demonstration on Monday to protest against detention. Other supporters crowded the school’s gym on Tuesday, when the volleyball team devoted a match to his absent colleague.
Amani Jack, a newly graduated Milford High, said his colleague’s absence was felt during the graduation ceremony, in which he should have played in the band. “Marcelo is not a criminal. He is a student. I really want him to try to put himself in our place, witnessing that. Try to understand how we feel. We just want to form,” he said.
Massachusetts governor, Maura Health of the Democratic Party, released a video in which she asked Ice to “do the right thing and free Marcelo”. She argued that the young man has lived in Milford since he was five years old, is “an exemplary student, an athlete and plays in the school band.” “He should be at school with his friends and teammates, not in a detention center,” he said.
Process should extend for months
At a press conference after being released, Marcelo said that many of the men arrested with him did not speak English. He acted as a translator and had to inform some of them that would be deported. “I said every detainee there: If I leave and be the only one leaving there, I lost,” he said. “I want to do everything I can to help them. If they have to be deported, it is. But in the right way, in the right conditions. Because no one is treated with dignity.” He also said that in a few days he received only crackers to eat.
According to Marcelo’s lawyer, he and his family entered the country with tourist visa and, later, the young man received a student visa, who has already expired.
The immigration judge has marked a preliminary hearing to evaluate the case, but the process may extend for months, according to the defense. “We are optimistic that he will have a future in the United States,” said the Brazilian lawyer.
Originally published by DW on 06/06/2025
Source: https://www.ocafezinho.com/2025/06/06/brasileiro-de-18-anos-detido-pela-imigracao-dos-eua-e-solto/
