ICE Denies Milford Teen Abuse Claims Amid Lawmakers Support

A dispute has erupted between Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and 18-year-old Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a Milford, Massachusetts high school student, over conditions during his recent six-day detention at a Burlington ICE facility. Gomes da Silva alleges he was held in cramped conditions, received inadequate food—sometimes only crackers for meals—and lacked proper medical care, while ICE officials deny these claims, asserting he received three meals daily, including fresh sandwiches, and prompt medical attention. ICE further contends that Gomes da Silva thanked staff for their kindness, a statement his attorney refutes, insisting her client never made such remarks and describing the agency's claims as false. The case has drawn support from local lawmakers, notably Congressman Seth Moulton, who criticized ICE for targeting the teen, stating it is inappropriate to detain someone overnight in that facility. Despite ICE's statements that congressional tours raised no concerns, both Moulton and Jake Auchincloss have reportedly expressed unease about the facility's suitability for prolonged detention. The incident has sparked student protests and broader community debate over ICE practices and immigration enforcement in Massachusetts.