Student Faces Deportation After Dunwoody Traffic Stop: Reports

DUNWOODY, GA — A 17-year-old Dunwoody High School student, who is being held at an ICE processing center, is facing deportation after a recent traffic stop, media reports say.

The arrest of Axel Rios, from Honduras, happened on March 27, WAGA-TV reported Monday. Rios was reportedly accused of driving without a driver's license and failing to stop at a stop sign.

City officials told WAGA-TV that authorities were not aware of Rios' legal status until he was being processed at the DeKalb County Jail.

Rios was a young boy, around 4- or 5-years-old, when he came to the U.S.; but, an order of removal was issued against him in 2015, both Decaturish and WAGA-TV reported.

He missed significant court dates due to a domestic violence situation involving his mother, Decaturish reported, citing Rios' attorney, Alexandros Cornejo.

The attorney told WAGA-TV the family was seeking asylum. In relocating from Florida to Georgia, they reportedly missed legal notices regarding their immigration case.

"Because (Rios) has a final order for removal, he was taken by the Dunwoody Police because they cooperate with the 287(g)," Cornejo told WAGA-TV.

Under the 287(g) program, Georgia officers are able to perform some immigration officer functions under the oversight of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency.

Gov. Brian Kemp, in March 2025, ordered 1,100 state public safety officers to be trained to identify and apprehend undocumented immigrants who may be deemed a risk to Georgia's safety. This is done by utilizing the 287(g) program.

"I think we all deserve an opportunity," Rios' mother, Kelin, told WAGA-TV. "My son is not a bad person. He’s not bad."

Rios was reportedly transferred to the Folkston ICE Processing Center following his arrest.