Washington (June 2, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement in support of Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old Milford High School student who was detained by ICE agents while traveling to volleyball practice on Saturday.

“Marcelo Gomes is a star student at Milford High School. A young leader. A beloved member of the school band. A gifted athlete. He is everything we want our young people to be. And on his way to volleyball practice this weekend, he was taken off the streets of Milford, a community built by immigrants, and detained by ICE. Let’s be clear: Marcelo makes Milford stronger. ICE raids do not,” said Senator Markey. “This is simply no way for a country to be treating its kids. Our students should be focused on going to school, not on looking over their shoulder in fear. Marcelo should have been playing the drums at Milford High’s graduation on Sunday—not sitting in an ICE detention cell away from his community. ICE’s actions are not about public safety. They are about instilling fear into our communities. The residents of Milford have not been silent. Led by students, they are standing up loud and proud for Marcelo—their classmate, their neighbor, their friend. I stand with Marcelo, with the people of Milford, and with residents across the Commonwealth in calling on ICE to free Marcelo.”

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