Milford teen detained by ICE meets with officials after six-day ordeal

First, the detected resource in order of appearance:
– Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)

I have added a single verified .gov link for the first mention of that resource in the article body. No other changes were made.

(MILFORD, CONNECTICUT) An 18-year-old Milford High School student who was taken into custody by federal agents has been released after an immigration judge ordered a $2,000 bond following a brief but intense legal fight that drew in members of Congress and sparked new questions about arrest tactics and detention conditions. Marcelo Gomes Da Silva, who came to the United States 🇺🇸 from Brazil at age 6, was detained on Saturday, May 31, 2025, while heading to volleyball practice and freed on Thursday, June 5, 2025, after six days inside the Burlington ICE facility.

According to his attorney, Robin Nice, ICE agents were looking for his father, João Paulo Gomes-Pereira, and arrested the teenager in the process. Nice said Gomes Da Silva has no criminal record and should never have been taken in. She described him as a “studious athlete and band member” at Milford High School, and one of many young people being swept up in broader enforcement actions.

Gomes Da Silva described harsh conditions at Burlington: dozens of people held in an open room with a toilet and no privacy, sleeping on a concrete floor with only a mylar blanket, and being not allowed to go outside. With limited ventilation, he said, “the only chance we get to breathe is when they open that little gap and some cold air comes in.” He spoke about praying throughout the six days to keep calm and thinking about classmates and family.

Detention and Release

The hearing took place in Chelmsford, where an immigration judge set a $2,000 bond and ordered his release on June 5, 2025. The judge’s decision followed arguments that the teen poses no danger and has deep ties to school, sports, and music.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, bond decisions in immigration court often turn on two core questions:
1. Is the person likely to appear for future court dates?
2. Do they pose a public safety risk?

Gomes Da Silva’s visa expired years ago, but he built a life centered on school activities, friends, and college goals. His case has become a flashpoint in the 2025 enforcement push under President Trump, highlighting how collateral arrests—people detained while agents pursue someone else—can sweep up students and workers with no criminal history.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons defended the operation and criticized the teen’s father, saying he “isn’t father of the year because he brought his son up here illegally.” The comment drew strong reactions from advocates and from Gomes Da Silva, who praised his father’s care and guidance. Community members said the remark felt personal and unfair, especially because the teenager was not accused of any crime.

Attorneys representing others held at Burlington reported similar allegations:
– No daylight and crowded rooms
– Few chances to rest
– Conditions described as hard on people without criminal records, many arrested at work or on their way to school

Political and Community Response

U.S. Representatives Seth Moulton and Jake Auchincloss appeared after the teen’s release and sharply criticized the enforcement approach. Moulton called Gomes Da Silva “a great American,” saying, “Marcelo in just five, 10 minutes, has done more to demonstrate and uphold American values than the Trump administration ever dreams of doing.” Auchincloss said arresting people with no criminal record was “upending law and order” and making neighborhoods feel less safe.

The lawmakers also pressed for access to the Burlington facility. They:
– Knocked on doors after the normal 4 p.m. closing time until allowed inside
– Sought to see conditions firsthand and meet with staff about department practices

Their actions underscored rising scrutiny of detention sites and prompted fresh calls for better oversight.

The arrest rippled through Milford. Luciano Alves, a family friend, said he regretted voting for President Trump after seeing the teen detained while headed to a school activity. Alves said he was stopped by ICE agents on Monday after the teen’s arrest and worried enforcement was spilling over into routine daily life. The family posted an emotional video plea during the six-day detention: “We love America. Please bring my son back,” his father said.

On the day of Gomes Da Silva’s hearing, another high-profile case moved forward. Rosane Ferreira De Oliveira, arrested on May 8 after a chaotic scene that led to two other arrests, received a new court date of September 23, 2025, in Chelmsford. She remains held at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island. Lawyers say these cases reflect wider enforcement under current policy.

What Comes Next in Court

Immigration courts, run by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), handle bond hearings and future merits hearings that decide whether a person can stay or must depart. Official guidance on court procedures is available at the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). EOIR materials explain that immigration judges weigh:
– Community ties
– Family history
– Any past arrests

Gomes Da Silva now faces a longer legal process. While his release on a $2,000 bond allows him to return to school, continue volleyball, and help his family prepare for future hearings, the case is far from over. He vowed to use his freedom to speak for others who remain in detention: “If I’m the only one able to leave that place, that’s a loss,” noting many men inside had children waiting at home and were picked up on their way to work.

Attorney Robin Nice highlighted broader implications:
– Policy choices reach into classrooms and living rooms
– School staff and teammates were prepared to support him with letters and court attendance — common steps to show a judge a person’s ties to a community
– Families should keep important documents and contact information organized in case of sudden arrests

Advocates say the Burlington account aligns with recent client and lawyer reports describing “grim” conditions. They argue the government should:
– Limit detention for people without criminal records
– Use alternatives such as check-ins, ankle monitors, or release on recognizance when appropriate

ICE officials counter that detention helps ensure people appear in court and supports planned removal when courts order it.

Local Impact and Personal Reflections

For Milford High School students and parents, the case became a lesson in how fast lives can change. Teammates expecting a weekend practice found themselves cheering a classmate’s return after nearly a week away. Teachers noted relief in hallways but also worry for friends from mixed-status families.

Gomes Da Silva said he understands some people may be ordered removed, but he urged respectful treatment: “If they have to be deported, so be it, but in the right way, in the right conditions.” His words echo calls from lawyers and lawmakers for better standards and more care for those in custody while their cases move forward.

As the legal clock turns to future hearings, the teen plans to:
– Keep studying
– Continue playing volleyball
– Help others handle court dates and paperwork

He said he’s grateful to be home, but he won’t forget the six days in a room with no sunlight, the cold air from a small gap, and the sound of men praying next to him.