What we know about ICE's arrest of a Milford high school student

A Milford High School student was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents over the weekend, the district's superintendent confirmed.

The 18-year-old junior, who was reportedly on his way to volleyball practice, was taken into custody by ICE agents off campus on Saturday, according to the superintendent's office.

The student was identified as Marcelo Gomes Da Silva in a habeas corpus petition filed by his attorney on Sunday. The petition argued Gomes Da Silva is being unlawfully detained and requested he not be moved out of the state. Responding to the filing, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Sterns ordered Sunday afternoon that he must not be moved out of the state for at least 72 hours.

The documents filed in Massachusetts federal court say Gomes Da Silva came to the United States in 2012 through a student visa. That visa has lapsed and he "intends to apply for asylum," according to the filing.

During a press conference Monday, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons told reporters that agents were initially looking for the 18-year-old’s father.

“They made a traffic stop on that vehicle, which was the father's vehicle,” Lyons said. “[Gomes Da Silva] was driving that vehicle. But like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant, or like I said, is here illegally, we will take action on that.”

Lyons’ remarks came during a press conference Monday announcing the arrests of nearly 1,500 people in Massachusetts without legal status in the month of May alone, as part of an ICE surge dubbed “Operation Patriot.” Of the people detained, 790 had been charged with “significant” crimes in the U.S. or in their native country, according to Patricia Hyde, the acting field director for ICE’s Boston office. Hundreds others, like Gomes Da Silva, were detained solely for immigration infractions.

“I didn't say he was dangerous; I said he's in this country illegally,” Lyons said Monday. “And we're not going to walk away from anybody.”

Hyde blamed "sanctuary policies" for the teen's arrest."

Sanctuary policies put us in a position to go out into communities and look for people," she said. "When jurisdictions don't cooperate with ICE ... then we must go out into the community. And when we go out into the community and we find others who are unlawfully here, we are going to arrest them."

Nevertheless, ICE officials "a local law enforcement agency" provided them with some intelligence in their investigation into Gomes Da Silva's father.

Gomes Da Silva's lawyer believes he's being held at ICE's Boston Field Office in Burlington, Massachusetts. The agency's online detainee tracker does not list a detention location for Gomes Da Silva.

Milford Superintendent Kevin McIntyre said in a statement the district has no role in immigration enforcement operations and that it supports immigrant families. He said "a number of parents" have been detained by ICE in recent weeks.

"They are members of the community, students in our classrooms, athletes that compete representing Milford, musicians, artists, friends and neighbors," McIntyre said of those arrested. "We will do everything in our power to support our students and families during these difficult times."

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey answered questions from reporters about the case at an unrelated event near the State House Monday morning. She said there's no evidence Gomes Da Silva has a criminal record.

"Unless ICE has additional information about this young person, he should be released," said Healey.

The governor said she has requested more information from ICE and hasn't heard back.

In an earlier statement, Healey said Sunday she was "outraged" by reports of the arrest, writing "the Trump Administration continues to create fear in our communities, and it’s making us all less safe.”

Sunday was Milford's high school graduation ceremony. In a speech at the ceremony, class valedictorian Vedi Raval called for support for their friend.

"His family has come to America for the promise of a better life... for the American dream," said Raval. "Not only is he a beloved member of the community, he is a friend to those around him."

Following the ceremony, community members marched to Milford Town Hall to call for the release of the student. And on Monday afternoon, students staged a walkout at the high school, holding signs like "Free Marcelo."

In a statement Monday afternoon, the state's largest teachers union, the Massachusetts Teachers Association, condemned ICE's actions as "cruel" and commended those who participated in the walkout.

"Milford students are leading and their educators are following with admiration, moved by their commitment to do what is right and their solidarity with a classmate in need," MTA President Max Page and Vice President Deb McCarthy said in the joint statement.

His arrest comes amid a wave of immigration detentions in Massachusetts. Last week, about 40 people were arrested on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.

In a post on social media, Sen. Elizabeth Warren noted the recent arrests that have made headlines.

"ICE arrested a student on the way to volleyball practice in Milford, detained people waiting at an immigration court in Boston, smashed a car window of the wrong person in New Bedford, and the list goes on," wrote Warren. "Communities are right to speak out. This isn’t making us safer."

With reporting by Paul Connearney, Walter Wuthmann and the WBUR Newsroom.