LANSING, Mich. (June 10, 2025) — Following the detainment of Detroit high schooler Maykol Bogoya-Duarte by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last month, Sens. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.), Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), and Rosemary Bayer (D-West Bloomfield), released the following statement:
“Last month, 18-year-old Maykol Bogoya-Duarte, a student at Western International High School, was stopped by local police and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while driving Downriver, trying to join his class on a field trip. Maykol came with his family to the U.S. from Colombia two and a half years ago and is described by one of his teachers as gentle and mild-mannered. According to friends and family, he was working as a doorman at a hotel and had planned to work this summer so that he could buy a car. He told his teacher often how much he loves his mom. His teacher states that he sat next to them in English Language Development class to stay on task and to be able to ask a lot of questions. According to news reports, Maykol’s fellow students at Western International High School are upset, scared and saddened by his detention.
“We join over a thousand teachers, students and parents calling on ICE to release Maykol from detention so that he can return to his family, even temporarily, and finish his schooling. Maykol has only 3 credits left to complete his diploma. The courts should consider a stay of deportation for Maykol. Amidst the chaos and fear of the Trump administration’s mass deportation effort, we must remember that behind every number, there are real human beings impacted — not just the individuals detained or deported, but also their families and their community members. While awaiting his court hearings, Maykol should be able to live his 18-year-old life in the community.”
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