ICE Detains Wrong Man: Milford Student's Arrest Highlights Sanctuary City Debate

**ICE Detains Wrong Man: Milford Student's Arrest Highlights Sanctuary City Debate** Milford, MA - An unexpected turn in a weekend immigration enforcement operation has sparked a renewed debate about sanctuary city policies. Marcelo Gomes, an 18-year-old junior at Milford High School, was detained by ICE agents Saturday morning while driving to volleyball practice with teammates. His family was shocked, but ICE officials have since clarified that the intended target was Gomes's father. "Marcelo Gomes was not the target of the investigation," stated Patricia Hyde, ICE Field Director, in a press conference. "Sanctuary policies put us in a position to go out into communities and look for people." She explained that when jurisdictions don't cooperate with ICE, they are forced to conduct operations in the community, potentially leading to unintended consequences. The incident has raised concerns about the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities. While ICE maintains that they were acting on intelligence from a local law enforcement agency, the arrest of a high school student has drawn criticism. Todd Lyons, ICE Acting Director, added, "We were looking for the father, and like any local law enforcement officer, if you encounter someone that has a warrant or is here illegally, we will take action on that." He emphasized that ICE is enforcing immigration laws. The Gomes family is seeking legal representation for Marcelo, who remains in ICE custody. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities involved in immigration enforcement and the potential for collateral damage.