MILFORD, Mass. — A federal judge has halted a last-minute effort by immigration officials to relocate an 18-year-old Milford High School student just one day before his scheduled court appearance on immigration matters.
U.S. District Judge George O’Toole denied a request from government attorneys seeking to transfer Marcelo Gomes Da Silva to another state after previously instructing that any relocation must allow for a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. According to court documents, motions for transfer and notification were submitted by Patricia Hyde, acting Field Office Director for Boston’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with other government leaders.
Subsequent filings revealed that the judge dismissed the government’s request, but indicated an option for the ruling to be appealed. The student’s legal representatives confirmed on Wednesday that their motion to move Gomes Da Silva was denied.
His attorney, Robin Nice of the firm McHaffey & Nice, stated that Gomes Da Silva intends to request his release from ICE custody on bond during a hearing set for Thursday afternoon in Chelmsford. Nice noted that her client entered the United States lawfully at the age of seven and has since developed substantial ties to his community, including participation in church activities, band, and the volleyball team.
Gomes Da Silva currently remains in federal custody following his arrest on Saturday, which occurred during a traffic stop when ICE agents were looking for his father, who faces removal due to previous traffic violations. According to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, capturing individuals in this manner is a common practice as agents operate in communities rather than solely in jails or police stations.
In a poignant video message shared by Gomes Da Silva’s family with the media, his father, João Paulo Gomes Pereira, articulated their distress, pleading for his son’s return. “I love my son. We need Marcelo back home. It’s no family without him. We love America. Please, bring my son back,” he said.
His attorneys stress that Gomes Da Silva does not have a criminal record and represents no danger to the community, asserting that his continued detention serves no public safety purpose. Nice emphasized the student’s strong ties to his community and noted that the fear incited by such immigration actions undermines the well-being of immigrants and their families.
ICE has not yet provided a response regarding the judge’s decision to deny their request to move Gomes Da Silva.
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