Massachusetts teen detained by ICE describes conditions as "abhorrent," attorney says
The Milford, Massachusetts teenager being held by federal immigration authorities will stay at the ICE field office in Burlington for now, despite the government's attempt to move him.
Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old junior at Milford High School, was detained by ICE agents last Saturday on his way to volleyball practice. They were looking for his father, but took him because his student visa had expired.
He's been held at the ICE office in Burlington until a hearing in his case is held in immigration court Thursday afternoon.
His attorneys met with him there in person for the first time Wednesday evening.
"Abhorrent conditions"
"He has a cold. He is describing conditions he is in as being abhorrent and frankly embarrassing for our country," said attorney Robin Nice.
Nice and attorney Miriam Conrad said Gomes has had little food, is sleeping on the floor because the field office is out of beds, and was taken to the hospital Tuesday for concerns he had a concussion.
"He is very tired. He is not sleeping well," said Conrad. "The lights are on all night long. He is not getting any fresh air or natural sunlight."
Request to move Gomes denied
Gomes is being held in the field office because there are no beds available at the detention center in Massachusetts. A court had ordered the government not to move him for three days after his arrest.
When that time was up Wednesday, they requested Gomes be moved to a detention facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island because it had a bed available and was more equipped to house Gomes. But, Gomes's attorneys opposed the move and a judge agreed.
Nice will lead the efforts Thursday, when Gomes makes his first appearance in immigration court. That's where she will file a petition for his release with the goal of being granted bail.
"This kid has no criminal record," said Nice. "He has never been in detention or suspended from school, he is the poster child of what you want your kids to grow up and become."
"He wanted to know the result of the volleyball team's match (Tuesday)," said Nice. "He asked about his finals schedule because he is in finals week for school, things a teenage kid would be concerned about."
If Gomes is granted bail Thursday, the case against him would move forward. Nice said immigration courts are backlogged, and it could take years for his case to run its course.
Gomes, according to his attorneys, would be able to pursue multiple avenues to gain asylum or change his immigration status as his case progresses.
