High school student deported to Honduras after traffic stop, asylum case denied
May 3, 2026·Location: Dunwoody, GA
Country of origin: Honduras

Axel Gerardo Archaga Rios, an 18-year-old junior at Dunwoody High School who arrived in the U.S. at age 4 with his mother seeking asylum, was arrested by Dunwoody Police on March 27, 2026, for running a stop sign and driving without a valid license. He was booked into DeKalb County Jail under the 287(g) program, posted bond, and was released into ICE custody on March 29. Rios was transferred to Folkston ICE Processing Center near Brunswick, Georgia. His attorney filed a stay of removal and a motion to reopen his 2015 removal order to pursue asylum relief, but both requests were denied. Rios was deported to Honduras, where he subsequently adjusted to life with his grandmother.
Timeline
Sources
- Dunwoody teen in ICE custody fighting to stay in the U.S., attorney says
- Georgia teen remains in ICE custody after stay denied; lawyer says judge can reopen case
- Axel Ríos ignora un 'Stop', maneja sin licencia en Georgia y lucha contra su deportación a Honduras
Univision·Apr 20, 2026·archived copy
- Teen deported to Honduras after nearly 15 years in US
- ICE takes custody of Dunwoody High junior after traffic stop
WTOC·Apr 20, 2026·archived copy
gray-wgcl-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com·Apr 21, 2026·archived copy
- Yahoo News
- 11alive.com
- ICE takes Ga. high schooler into custody after traffic stop
WRDW·Apr 21, 2026·archived copy
- Ga. high school student deported after being taken into ICE custody
WRDW·May 1, 2026·archived copy
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