BOSTON (AP) — A small town in Massachusetts is coming together to support an 18-year-old volleyball player who is being held by federal immigration officials. This has caused a lot of anger and protests in the community.
ICE officers arrested Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a junior at Milford High School who was on his way to volleyball practice on Saturday. Gomes da Silva is highly-regarded and in the honors program. From Brazil, Gomes da Silva moved to the United States in 2013 on a tourist visa and has lived there ever since. The teen stayed in the U.S. even though his student visa had expired a while ago. He is well-known and liked by all of his classmates, teammates, and teachers.
The event, which happened during the day, has gotten a lot of support from people in Milford. A few days after he was arrested, a lot of Milford High students left class with signs that said “Free our friend” and “America was built by immigrants.” Gomes da Silva’s release has also been called for by teachers, parents, and people in the community who say he is an innocent young man who deserves to stay with his friends and family in the town he has lived in for most of his life.
A post on social media from the boys’ volleyball team at Milford High School summed up how people felt about the situation. “Our game on June 3rd will be played in honor of Marcelo,” the post said, adding that they would “pray and fight for our brother.”
What Did You Do on Saturday?
Friday, Marcelo Gomes da Silva was stopped by ICE officials on his way to volleyball practice on Saturday. ICE officials say that at first, agents were trying to catch Gomes da Silva’s father, who owns the car that the teen was driving. Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, stated that police were looking for the father on suspicion of reckless driving because he was said to have driven too fast through residential areas. When agents found out that Gomes da Silva was living in the country illegally, they decided to arrest him even though they hadn’t planned to at first.
In a statement, Lyons said, “Like any other local police officer, we will take action if you see someone who has a warrant or is here illegally.” This person also said that the teenager could be deported because he was an undocumented immigrant, even though he had never been in trouble with the law.
But that reasoning doesn’t work for a lot of people. Some people in the area, like Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, have asked why Gomes da Silva was arrested, especially since he has a bad academic and personal record. Healey, who wants the boy to be freed right away, said that he was a hardworking student, a member of the high school band, and an avid athlete. “They should let him go.” “Marcello should be in school, not a juvenile hall,” Healey said in a video shared on social media.
Backlash against and support for Gomes da Silva in the community
A lot of people are very angry about the arrest. The Massachusetts Teachers Association, which speaks for teachers in the state, said that what ICE did was “cruel and inhumane.” The union has spoken out a lot about how important it is for schools to stay safe places to learn, away from immigration police. “We call on leaders at every level to ensure our schools remain safe spaces of learning, belonging, and safety for all students — not hunting grounds for ICE agents,” the group said in a statement.
Teachers and students have stood together in support of Gomes da Silva in an amazing way. On Monday, hundreds of Milford High School students walked off the school grounds to demand that he be released. They said they wanted to stand up for their friend and teacher, so they planned the walkout. Emily Chen, a student who took part in the walkout, said, “It’s not fair that someone who has lived here since he was 5 years old is being treated this way.” “Marcelo is caring and works hard, that’s for sure.” Instead of being in jail, he should be in school.
Gomes da Silva’s teachers have also come to his aid. In a statement, the Milford schools’ director made it clear that the district has nothing to do with immigration enforcement and supports all families, even those who are immigrants. “Our goal is for all of our students to feel safe and supported in our schools,” the superintendent said.
The court case starts.
Cases like Marcelo Gomes da Silva’s are now in the hands of the law. Robin Nice, his lawyer, stated that he will have a hearing in immigration court on Thursday. The teenager’s lawyers want him to be freed while his visa case is being heard. A federal judge told the government they have until June 16 to reply to Gomes da Silva’s request to be freed. The judge also said that the teen could not be taken out of Massachusetts without giving the court 48 hours’ notice.
As the case goes through the courts, community leaders, organizers, and regular people continue to demand answers and justice for the young man they call “Marcelo.” A lot of people are wondering if his case will become a flashpoint in the national fight over immigration policy. This is especially true when it comes to young people who have grown up in the U.S. but don’t have legal papers.
Gomes da Silva’s story is a powerful warning of how hard life is for immigrants in the U.S. who are not here legally. He is not a criminal; he is a student, an athlete, and an important part of his society. Some people say that the law should be followed, while others say that this is a clear example of how the current immigration policies hurt young people who have deep roots in the country.
Getting Ready
More and more people are standing with Gomes da Silva since he was arrested. On or around June 3, the volleyball team at Milford High School will play a game in his honor. People who used to disagree about immigration issues are now standing together because they believe Marcelo Gomes da Silva should be able to go back to the life he’s made in Massachusetts.
The future is still unclear, but one thing is certain: this case is more than just a court case. It is a story about community, hope, and the strength of working together, and no one will soon forget it.
