The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says a 13-year-old boy from Brazil who was recently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Massachusetts “posed a public safety threat.”
According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the boy had with him a firearm and a knife when local police arrested him.
The boy, who reportedly has a pending asylum claim, was detained by ICE and transported to an immigration facility in Virginia.
“Here are the facts: he posed a public safety threat with an extensive rap sheet including violent assault with a dangerous weapon, battery, breaking and entering, destruction of property,” McLaughlin said in a post on X.
Here are the facts: he posed a public safety threat with an extensive rap sheet including violent assault with a dangerous weapon, battery, breaking and entering, destruction of property.
He was in possession of a firearm and 5-7 inch knife when arrested. https://t.co/RSkgKUnGTS
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 13, 2025
McLaughlin’s comments came in response to criticism from a progressive immigration activist.
“This makes NO SENSE. A 13-year-old was arrested by local police for unknown reasons, and then turned over to ICE, which is detaining him far away from his mother — who is going through immigration court, has an asylum application on file, and is legally authorized to work,” said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council.
A federal judge has ordered ICE to “justify” the boy’s detention by the end of Tuesday, WBUR reported.
