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PULSE POINTS:
What Happened: Hugo Monteiro, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Brazil, was briefly detained by ICE outside Cambridge District Court in Medford due to a mix-up, but was released after officers confirmed his identity.
Who’s Involved: Hugo Monteiro, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.
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Where & When: Medford, Massachusetts, outside Cambridge District Court, on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Key Quote: “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” Monteiro said. “I voted for Trump.”
Impact: Monteiro’s support for ICE and Trump’s immigration crackdown, despite his mistaken detention, underscores public backing for America First policies to secure the border and deport illegal aliens.
IN FULL:
Naturalized U.S. citizen Hugo Monteiro has brushed off his brief detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside Cambridge District Court in Medford, Massachusetts, on May 16, 2025, affirming his support for the agency’s mission. The 31-year-old Brazilian-American, mistaken for an illegal immigrant, was quickly released after proving his citizenship and stood firm in backing Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Monteiro, who had just left the courthouse after assisting a client, was approached by four plainclothes ICE officers around 9:15 AM. “They were telling me I was under arrest, that I was in trouble,” he recalled. Handcuffed and escorted to a car, officers soon verified Monteiro’s identity, confirmed their error, and released him by 9:30 AM.
“They explained to me they wanted to make sure they had the correct person,” Monteiro said, noting the officers mentioned prior arrests near the Medford courthouse. Despite the ordeal, he harbored no resentment. “Unfortunately, they called the wrong person, but I still support whatever they’re doing,” he said. “I voted for Trump. There are a lot of bad people in this country, to be honest with you, [and they] don’t deserve to be here. No hard feelings.”
Monteiro’s detention comes amid a surge in ICE operations under Trump’s administration, which reversed a Biden-era policy banning routine courthouse arrests. Trump policy mandates coordination with court security, but Monteiro’s arrest on a public sidewalk suggests operational hiccups, as court security was unaware of the action.
Monteiro’s unwavering support highlights the public’s broad approval of Trump’s robust immigration enforcement.
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: Regeneron has agreed to purchase 23andMe for $256 million through a court-supervised bankruptcy sale.
👥 Who’s Involved: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, 23andMe, Anne Wojcicki (former CEO), Joe Selsavage (interim CEO).
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📍 Where & When: The deal was announced Monday; 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “We are pleased to reach an agreement with a science-driven partner that maintains our team and helps ensure our mission will carry forward,” said Joe Selsavage, 23andMe’s interim CEO.
⚠️ Impact: Regeneron will acquire 23andMe’s genetic testing and research assets but not its telehealth business, while committing to uphold privacy laws and policies.
IN FULL:
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals has finalized a $256 million agreement to acquire genetic testing company 23andMe, following the latter’s bankruptcy filing earlier this year. The purchase, made under a court-supervised sale process, includes 23andMe’s genetic testing services and health research assets but excludes its Lemonaid Health telehealth division.
Notably, President Donald J. Trump received a dose of a Regeneron antibody drug in late 2020 when he was diagnosed with COVID-19. At the time, the medication was still in an experimental phase, but showed promise as a treatment for the virus.
The consumer genetic testing company 23andMe filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, citing financial difficulties. At the time, it announced plans to seek a buyer and confirmed the resignation of its co-founder and CEO, Anne Wojcicki.
Under the terms of the agreement, Regeneron, based in Tarrytown, New York, will continue to provide 23andMe’s consumer genetic services without interruption. The company also emphasized its commitment to adhering to 23andMe’s existing privacy policies and applicable laws to safeguard sensitive customer information.
“We have deep experience with large-scale data management,” said George Yancopoulos, Regeneron’s co-founder, in a statement. He added: “With the consent of individuals, we use this data to drive discoveries that benefit science and society, while maintaining a strong track record of protecting genetic data.”
Privacy concerns have surrounded 23andMe’s vast database, which includes the DNA information of approximately 15 million customers. The company’s services allow users to explore their ancestry and genetic health profiles, including identifying potential hereditary risks. Its research wing has also been involved in developing treatments for cancer, immune disorders, and other conditions.
Interim CEO Joe Selsavage expressed optimism about the acquisition, stating, “We are pleased to reach an agreement with a science-driven partner that maintains our team and helps ensure our mission will carry forward. With Regeneron’s expertise in genetic sequencing, testing, and discovery, we look forward to continuing to help people access and understand the human genome for the benefit of customers and patients.”
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