GoFundMe and #FreeMarcelo are being shared online

By Scott Calzolaio

An 18-year-old Milford High School student, Marcelo (left, standing in front of a poster promoting inclusion), was detained by ICE on May 31 on his way to sports practice. A GoFundMe account (bit.ly/FreeMarcelo) has been set up to help him and his family with expenses. Photo source: GoFundMe

 Hundreds of people gathered in front of the Milford Town Hall on the afternoon of June 1 to protest after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained an 18-year-old Milford High School student on the morning of Saturday, June 1, a day before Milford High School graduation.

Though his full name was not released to the press, the crowd yelled, “Free Marcelo,” in chants throughout the protest. 

Marcelo’s friends report he was detained on his way to volleyball practice on Saturday morning.

Students marched from the graduation ceremony on Sunday morning to Milford Town Hall in their caps and gowns, entering the adult world with their voices being heard. The march halted across the street from Town Hall, where hundreds were already gathered, cheering on the marching graduates.

Marcelo's girlfriend, Julianys Rentas, was interviewed by WCVB NewsCenter 5, where she recapped a phone call ICE agents allowed Marcelo to make.

"He told me he had chains around his ankles, he had chains around his wrists," Rentas said. "He's in a cell with 30 other men. He's the only 18-year-old there, he's the youngest there. He is not a criminal. He's a member of this community and has never done anything wrong."

Marcelo has been a part of the Milford school system since he was six years old. 

Milford Chief of Police Robert Tusino said his department was informed of the ICE activity by the school. In a brief interview with the Milford Free Press, Tusino made it clear that his officers were not involved, but conflict could have possibly been avoided if they were, he said.

“We can’t stop ICE if we wanted to, they’ve made that very clear to us,” Tusino said, standing amongst the protestors. “I think they should make it so that the police are with ICE, so that we can act as intermediaries.”

Tusino said he and his department have worked with ICE in the past to assist in executing warrants for known criminals.

“When we take these folks in, we take them to Honey Dew, let them use the bathroom at the station, I’m all about keeping it humane, I was a paramedic for 34 years,” he said. “ICE will just let them sit in a van for hours. We just want to make sure our community is safe, and the relationship we’ve created with our residents remains uncompromised."

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey released a statement responding to the arrest, and demanding information on where he is being held.

“I’m disturbed and outraged by reports that a Milford High School student was arrested by ICE on his way to volleyball practice yesterday [May 31]. Yet again, local officials and law enforcement have been left in the dark with no heads up and no answers to their questions," Healey said in the statement. "I’m demanding that ICE provide immediate information about why he was arrested, where he is and how his due process is being protected. 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.”

A GoFundMe account bit.ly/FreeMarcelo has been set up to help “secure experienced legal representation; cover any court and filing fees; support Marcelo’s family during this uncertain time…Please help us fight for Marcelo’s future and bring him home where he belongs.” The hashtag #FreeMarcelo is also being used on social media.

Theresa Knapp contributed to this story