For Josiele Berto, phone calls from her 13-year-old son, Arthur, have become a lifeline. The boy was arrested last week in Everett, Massachusetts, and taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, leaving his mother in the dark about his whereabouts and circumstances.
Berto, a Brazilian national with a pending asylum application since 2021, said she has only spoken to Arthur directly and has received no information from officials. “They didn’t give me any information. I asked where he was being taken, and they said they weren’t allowed to say,” she said.
Arrest and ICE Detention
According to Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria, police received a credible tip that Arthur made a violent threat against another student. DeMaria emphasized that police did not contact ICE about the arrest and that the city is not targeting immigrants. However, federal authorities took Arthur into custody within hours, raising questions about how ICE became involved.
Police Chief Paul Strong said this is the first time a juvenile has been taken by ICE from the Everett Police Department.
Berto’s attorneys filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that Arthur’s detention violates his Fifth Amendment due process rights. A Massachusetts judge ordered ICE to justify his detention or allow him to be released on bond, though it is unclear if ICE has complied.
Discrepancies in Reporting
A Department of Homeland Security official publicly claimed Arthur had an “extensive rap sheet” including violent assault, battery, and possession of a firearm and knife. Local officials confirmed the knife but stated no gun was found, and the teen’s criminal record is not public.
Arthur has been moved between facilities in Massachusetts and Virginia, complicating access to legal counsel. His attorney, Andrew Lattarulo, criticized the out-of-state transfer as a tactic that hinders effective representation. A judge later agreed to move the case to Virginia, citing jurisdictional issues.
Community Response
The case has drawn local outrage and nationwide attention. Dozens of Everett residents attended a City Council meeting calling for Arthur’s release. Councilor Katy Rogers demanded a correction to DHS statements about a firearm.
Family Concerns
Berto is also worried about her 10-year-old son and the family’s safety, as their asylum application remains pending. “We don’t know if they’ll come for us next,” she said.
For now, Berto’s focus is simple: “Right now, I just want my son free. We’ll think about the rest later.”
This case marks the youngest juvenile Lattarulo has ever represented in an ICE detention matter, highlighting concerns about the treatment of minors in immigration enforcement.
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