Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has expressed her outrage following the arrest of a Milford High School student by agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Saturday, June 1, as he was reportedly heading to volleyball practice.
The incident, which occurred just a day before the school’s graduation ceremony, has sent shockwaves through the town of Milford and across the state.
In a statement released on Sunday, Governor Healey denounced the lack of transparency surrounding the federal operation:
“I’m disturbed and outraged by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads-up and no answers to their questions,” she stated.
“I’m demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is, and how his due process is being protected.”
According to CBS News, citing WBZ-TV, the 18-year-old student, identified only as Marcelo, was taken into custody by ICE agents while in a car with friends. Witnesses reported that three unmarked vehicles surrounded the car, and agents asked the driver to present documentation before arresting him on the spot. One of the students in the car recounted the experience anonymously:
“An ICE officer stepped out of his vehicle, walked over to us, and knocked on the window. He asked [Marcelo] what his documentation was. That’s when the emotions hit me. I didn’t even realize I was crying—tears just started falling.”
According to classmates, Marcelo has lived in the United States since he was a child. They said there was no legal reason for the traffic stop or arrest:
“I didn’t see him run a red light or do anything illegal. We were just on our way.” Marcelo is described as a hardworking and respectful student, always ready to support his peers.
The 18-year-old, who is also a member of the school band, was scheduled to perform at the graduation ceremony on Sunday.
“I always thought this system was meant to target undocumented people who committed serious offenses. But now it feels like they’re just kicking everyone out based on their status,” another student told WBZ-TV.
Local officials have voiced their concern. Milford Public Schools Superintendent Kevin McIntyre confirmed in a statement that several parents of students have also been detained by ICE in recent weeks.
“We are all distraught by this news,” McIntyre said. “Milford Public Schools play no part in immigration enforcement. We support all of our students and families, including those who are immigrants to the United States. They are members of our community—students in our classrooms, athletes competing for Milford, musicians, artists, friends, and neighbors.”
Milford police said they were not notified in advance of the ICE operation. In response to growing public concern, a protest is planned for Sunday following the school’s graduation ceremony.
Governor Healey condemned the climate of fear spreading through immigrant communities:
“My heart goes out to the Milford community on what was supposed to be a celebratory graduation day. The Trump Administration continues to create fear in our communities, and it’s making us all less safe.”
As of now, ICE has not made any public statements about the incident. Local officials, educators, and families are calling for clear answers about the arrest and the protection of the student’s legal rights.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/milford-student-detained-by-ice-massachusetts/64935176
