Everett, Washington – A 10-year-old boy has been taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an event local officials are calling unprecedented. The boy, a Brazilian national, was arrested Tuesday and transported to an ICE detention center, leaving his family in anguish and raising concerns about the agency’s practices regarding the detention of minors.The arrest has sparked alarm within the Everett community and among immigration advocates, who say the case highlights the growing fear among immigrant families, even those with pending asylum claims.The boy’s mother, who asked to be identified only as Berto, says her son is constantly asking about his father, who is also awaiting a decision on their asylum case. “My youngest son keeps asking about him, if he has called, if I know anything. It has been very challenging,” she commented.
According to Berto, she has had no direct contact with her son since his arrest and is unsure of his well-being. The family’s asylum process is still pending, and the arrest has intensified their fears. “As our asylum process is still pending, we were already afraid, and now the fear has grown,” Berto said. “We don’t know if they will come for us later.”
Everett City Councilwoman Katy Rogers described the situation as deeply concerning.
The circumstances surrounding the boy’s arrest remain unclear, but ICE has confirmed the detention. the agency has not yet released details regarding the legal basis for the arrest or the boy’s current location. Berto fears her son and husband could be deported back to Brazil.
“Right now, I just want my son free,” Berto said. ”We’ll think about the rest later.” The family is now waiting for any news, hoping for their son’s release and a resolution to their asylum case.
