Brazilian father and son detained while fishing, released after judge finds ICE violated due process
May 28, 2026·Location: Woods Hole, MA
Country of origin: Brazil

On May 18, 2026, Rogerio da Silva Lima and his 15-year-old son Nycolas were detained by the U.S. Coast Guard during a recreational fishing trip approximately one mile offshore Martha's Vineyard near Menemsha. Following a vessel safety check, the Coast Guard transferred them to ICE custody at a federal processing facility in Burlington. Da Silva Lima, a Brazilian national who entered the U.S. in 2021 and sought asylum, had a denied asylum application with a removal order issued in 2023-2024. Community advocates and attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition in U.S. District Court of Massachusetts on May 20, which halted a planned transfer to Texas. A federal judge found ICE had exceeded the congressionally mandated 90-day removal period and violated constitutional due process rights. Approximately 200 students at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, where the son was a freshman, walked out to protest his detention. The teenager was released on May 24 to his older brother, and the father was ordered released by May 28-29.
Timeline
Sources
- mvtimes.com
- Father, Son Taken Into ICE Custody As They Fish Off Vineyard: Report
patch.com·May 20, 2026·archived copy
- Cape Cod high schooler and father in ICE custody after ‘highly unusual’ Coast Guard arrest
WGBH·May 21, 2026·archived copy
- Coast Guard shackled frightened teen's feet, turned him over to ICE after arresting him and his father as they enjoyed day of fishing off Martha's Vineyard
dailymail.com·May 20, 2026·archived copy
- Island Father and Teenage Son Taken into ICE Custody
- Coast Guard Details Its Involvement in ICE Arrest
- masslive.com
- Epic ice rescue leads to ICE deportation in Straits of Mackinac
WCMU·Apr 9, 2026·archived copy
- Teenager taken by ICE released; hundreds gather in Menemsha rally - MV Times
mvtimes.com·May 23, 2026·archived copy
- Vineyard High Schooler Released from ICE Custody
- MVRHS students hold walkout to honor classmate detained by ICE - MV Times
mvtimes.com·May 22, 2026·archived copy
- Federal judge orders ICE to release Brazilian father who was detained while fishing off Martha’s Vineyard with son
Boston Globe·May 26, 2026·archived copy
- Vineyard high schooler freed from ICE detention; Father ordered released
WGBH·May 26, 2026·archived copy
- Coast Guard shackled frightened teen’s feet, turned him over to ICE after arresting him and his father as they enjoyed day of fishing off Martha’s Vineyard
elrisala.com·May 20, 2026·archived copy
- Estudiantes de MVRHS realizan una protesta para honrar a un compañero detenido por ICE - MV Times
mvtimes.com·May 22, 2026·archived copy
- Dad detained off Martha's Vineyard released from ICE custody
nbcboston.com·May 27, 2026·archived copy
- ICE arrests continued during graduation season, and some students have nearly missed their big event
Boston Globe·Jun 24, 2026·archived copy
- Donate to Legal Aid for Father and Son Detained by ICE, organized by MV LUCE
GoFundMe·May 18, 2026·archived copy
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