DETROIT – A Detroit high school student faces imminent deportation after ICE denied his stay of removal.
Maykol Duarte was just three credits away from graduating from Western High School when he was pulled over on his way to a field trip.
Metro Detroit police called Customs and Border Protection, and they quickly detained him.
His lawyers confirm he was here illegally.
The situation has sparked a huge outpouring of support from the Detroit Public Schools Community District.
Many spoke out in his favor at a board meeting Tuesday night.
State Senators Mary Cavanagh, Rosemary Bayer, Sylvia Santana, and Stephanie Chang released a joint statement, also calling for the release of Maykol.
The Detroit Public Schools Community District Board of Education stands firmly with our community in demanding the immediate stay of deportation for our student, Maykol Bogoya Duarte. Maykol is part of our DPSCD family, and we are heartbroken by the fear and disruption this situation has caused his loved ones, classmates, and school community. We call for the immediate release of Maykol and request a formal stay of his deportation. We want him to complete his coursework and graduate with his high school diploma—just as he has worked hard to do. We will also continue to keep in touch with the family and keep the school community updated.