ICE detains owner of Stow restaurant

"Max Fernandes, the owner of Stow Cafe on Great Road, was the person detained. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge acknowledged his arrest in a Facebook post, saying that he is working with state Rep. Kate Hogan to help Fernandes's family. Eldridge and others such as the Maynard Democratic Town Committee identified the owner only as "Max." State records show that Stow Cafe is operated by a Marlborough resident named Maximiano Fernandes."

"The Stow Police Department said in posts of its own that it was aware of the fact that ICE agents "executed a detainment order for an individual in Stow." The department was not involved in the arrest and was not notified that it would be taking place, according to officials. ICE does not update local police departments after it takes enforcement actions, according to the department."

"ICE issued a "detainer" for Fernandes in response to a 2024 incident that was "recently resolved" in Concord District Court, Stow police said. ICE issues detainer requests to local law enforcement agencies when it becomes aware of "removable aliens" that are being held by local law enforcement officials. These detainers ask that local police hold the person in question for extra time beyond when they would normally be released so that ICE officers can assume custody of them before they are released back into their communities."

Maximiano "Max" Fernandes, owner of Stow Cafe on Great Road, was detained by ICE officers Wednesday morning. State Sen. Jamie Eldridge and state Rep. Kate Hogan are working to assist Fernandes's family, and local supporters identified him as Max. The Stow Police Department said ICE executed a detainment order, that the department was not involved and was not notified, and that ICE does not update local police after enforcement actions. Stow police said ICE issued a detainer related to a 2024 incident recently resolved in Concord District Court. A 2017 SJC ruling bars holding people solely on civil immigration detainers.

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