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High school soccer captain detained by ICE after traffic stop, misses graduation

Jul 19, 2026 · Walker County, GA, Guatemala

High school soccer captain detained by ICE after traffic stop, misses graduation

Elder Yuvini Aguilar Macario, a 19-year-old senior and soccer team captain at Trion High School in Georgia, was detained by ICE on May 1-2, 2026, following a traffic stop when officers discovered he lacked a valid driver's license. ICE discovered a prior deportation order dating back 13 years to his mother's denied asylum application when he was six years old, and placed a detainer on him through the 287(g) program. He was transferred to Irwin County Detention Center and later to Folkston ICE Processing Center, approximately 300 miles from his home in northwest Georgia, where he described being shackled during transport. Before his arrest, Aguilar Macario was a member of the soccer team and had begun taking welding classes at Georgia Northwestern Technical College. He missed his high school graduation ceremony, though his classmates gave him a standing ovation when his name was called and placed his cap, robe, and photo on an empty chair in his honor. His attorneys have filed to reopen his immigration case.

Timeline

May 2, 2026Transferred to Irwin County Detention Center and later to Folkston ICE Processing Center; described being shackled during transport
May 1, 2026Elder Yuvini Aguilar Macario pulled over during traffic stop; officers discovered he lacked a valid driver's license
May 1, 2026Transferred to Walker County jail; ICE placed detainer after discovering prior deportation order from mother's denied asylum application
May 2026Missed high school graduation ceremony; classmates placed his cap, robe, and photo on an empty chair and gave standing ovation when his name was called
May 2026Attorneys filed to reopen immigration case

Sources

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