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Massachusetts Congressman’s State of the Union Guest Named in Sealed Police Reports
A controversy has emerged surrounding Rep. Seth Moulton’s guest to the 2026 State of the Union address after revelations that his invitee, Marcelo Gomes da Silva, appears in two police reports that Massachusetts authorities have declined to release, citing exemptions related to “sexual assault and juveniles.”
According to an investigation by the Boston Herald, the Milford Police Department (MPD) denied a public records request for two 2021 reports that allegedly reference Gomes da Silva, a 19-year-old undocumented immigrant whom the Democratic congressman invited to President Donald Trump’s address on February 24.
MPD Deputy Chief John Sanchioni denied the newspaper’s request for reports dated June 30 and September 15, 2021, stating they “are not public records in accordance with M.G.L. c. 4 s. 7 cl. 26 (A).” Sanchioni specified that one report “involves a sexual assault and juveniles” while the other “involves juveniles,” though he did not elaborate further on the nature of these reports or indicate that Gomes da Silva had been charged with any crime.
The Herald reported that Gomes da Silva was identified as a “person of interest” in the records requested.
For his part, Gomes da Silva has categorically denied any wrongdoing. “I want to be clear: I have never assaulted anyone. I have never been contacted by the police about any accusations of assault,” he told the Herald through his attorney. “I only learned about these reports that allegedly include my name in them through the media.”
His attorney has subsequently requested these reports but was also denied access. A spokesperson for Rep. Moulton reportedly told the Herald that according to their review, Gomes da Silva has never been charged with a crime.
Gomes da Silva’s case gained national attention earlier this year when Moulton invited him to attend Trump’s State of the Union address. Gomes da Silva has been living in the United States since he was six years old but was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in May 2025 while driving his father’s car. Agents were reportedly seeking his father at the time, but detained the son when they discovered his student visa had lapsed.
When announcing the invitation, Moulton said Gomes da Silva’s story “captures what’s broken in our immigration system right now” and described him as “exactly the kind of young person America should be investing in, not locking up.”
The Department of Homeland Security criticized the invitation at the time, stating on social media that Gomes da Silva “is an illegal alien who has no right to be in our nation.” Then-Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin added that the “Trump administration is committed to restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system.”
Moulton’s office countered by emphasizing Gomes da Silva’s long residence in the U.S. and lack of a criminal record, arguing that targeting him was not making anyone safer but rather “terrorizing young people trying to build a future in this country.”
The Boston Herald has reported that it is appealing the police department’s denial of its records request, arguing that Gomes da Silva’s background has become part of a broader public debate over immigration enforcement following his high-profile appearance at the State of the Union.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration policy in the United States, particularly regarding undocumented immigrants who arrived as children and have established lives in American communities. It also raises questions about the vetting process for high-profile political guests and the transparency of information when public figures become involved in immigration advocacy.
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6 Comments
This is an interesting story about the controversy surrounding Rep. Moulton’s guest to the State of the Union address. The reports involving the guest seem concerning, though the details are still unclear. I’m curious to learn more about the nature of these sealed police records and their potential connection to the invited guest.
Yes, the fact that the police reports are sealed raises questions about the guest’s background. It will be important for the authorities to provide more transparency, while still respecting privacy concerns, to fully understand the situation.
The sealed police reports involving Rep. Moulton’s guest are certainly concerning. As a lawmaker, Moulton should be held to high ethical standards when selecting his guests for such a high-profile event. The public deserves more clarity on the nature of these records and whether they impact the guest’s fitness to attend.
I agree, the lack of transparency around these police reports is troubling. Moulton should provide a fuller explanation to address any potential issues with his guest’s background before the event.
This news raises important questions about vetting processes for guests invited to the State of the Union address. While privacy concerns are understandable, the public interest in ensuring the event’s integrity may outweigh those considerations in this case. Moulton should work to shed more light on the sealed records to allay any potential security or ethical concerns.
Absolutely. Moulton has a responsibility to ensure his guest’s background is thoroughly vetted, especially given the high-profile nature of the event. Transparency is key to maintaining public trust in the democratic process.