Elder Yuvini Aguilar-Macario, the 19-year-old Trion High School graduate whose immigration case drew statewide attention this spring, is returning to Guatemala today after being held in ICE custody for months, according to a statement released by his mother.
Aguilar-Macario’s case first made headlines in early May, when he was arrested during a traffic stop in Walker County just weeks before his scheduled graduation. He had come to Trion as a first grader in 2014 and spent more than a decade in the Trion school system, playing on the high school soccer team and studying welding at Georgia Northwestern Technical College while still enrolled in high school. Because of an immigration case tied to his mother that dated back more than a decade, he was placed into ICE custody through Walker County’s participation in the federal 287(g) program and was later transferred to the Folkston ICE Processing Center in South Georgia.
He did not get to walk across the stage at graduation. But when his name was called during the ceremony, his classmates and all in attendance gave him a standing ovation, and his empty seat was marked with his cap and gown, graduation cords, and a photo of him.
In the statement released by his mother, she said the family’s ordeal began on May 1, describing months of anguish, uncertainty, and sleepless nights that followed. “There were months of anguish, worry, tears, uncertainty, and many sleepless nights,” she said. “Every day was a battle against fear, but also an opportunity to keep hope alive and trust that God would open a path to bring my son back home.”
She said she and her husband did everything within their power to help their son during the ordeal. “We reached out for help, made calls, prayed ceaselessly, and never stopped fighting,” she said. “There were moments when we felt our strength failing, but our love for our son gave us the courage to keep going.”
A Message of Gratitude
Much of the mother’s statement was devoted to thanking the community, friends, and family who supported them through the process. “Thank you for every prayer, message, and phone call, for the words of encouragement, and for every act of kindness,” she said. “To many, these may have seemed like small gestures, but to us, they represented hope amidst the darkness.”
She singled out Trion High School for special thanks, crediting the school for welcoming her son and helping shape who he became during his time there.
“I want to extend a very special thank you to Trion High School,” she said. “Thank you for opening your doors to my son, for welcoming him as a member of your community, for believing in him, and for giving him the chance to grow as both a student and a person.”
She added that her son will carry that experience with him no matter where he is. “I know that place left an indelible mark on his life — and on ours,” she said. “He will always be a Bulldog at heart.”
Returning to Guatemala
According to his mother, Elder departed for Guatemala today, July 28, returning to the country of his birth after living in the United States for years.
“It may not have been the homecoming we had imagined, but what matters most is that he is coming back alive, stronger, with new experiences, and with a heart full of gratitude,” she said.
She closed her statement with a message to everyone who supported the family through the process. “Your prayers were heard, your words sustained us when we needed it most, and your support reminded us that we were never alone,” she said. “May God bless each of you — your families, your homes, and every institution and person who lent us a helping hand.”
She offered a final word of thanks to Trion High School specifically, saying the school gave her son a sense of belonging far from home.
“Thank you for being part of my son’s story and for showing him that he would always have a family away from home,” she said. “That affection will remain in our hearts forever.”
Read the mother’s entire message here: Today, as a mother, I want to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to everyone who stood by us during one of the most difficult times our family has ever faced. Since that May 1st, when this grueling and uncertain journey began, our lives changed completely. There were months of anguish, worry, tears, uncertainty, and many sleepless nights. Every day was a battle against fear, but also an opportunity to keep hope alive and trust that God would open a path to bring my son back home. As parents, we did everything within our power. We reached out for help, made calls, prayed ceaselessly, and never stopped fighting. There were moments when we felt our strength failing, but our love for our son gave us the courage to keep going. Today, with a heart full of gratitude, I want to thank everyone who kept him and our family in their thoughts. Thank you for every prayer, message, and phone call, for the words of encouragement, and for every act of kindness. To many, these may have seemed like small gestures, but to us, they represented hope amidst the darkness. We will never forget the support we received. I want to extend a very special thank you to Trion High School. Thank you for opening your doors to my son, for welcoming him as a member of your community, for believing in him, and for giving him the chance to grow as both a student and a person. Thank you for all the affection, guidance, and support you offered him during his time as part of that wonderful family. I know that place left an indelible mark on his life—and on ours. Thank you, Trion High School, for making my son feel like part of something truly special. He will always be a Bulldog at heart. Today, July 28th, my son is returning to Guatemala. It may not have been the homecoming we had imagined, but what matters most is that he is coming back alive, stronger, with new experiences, and with a heart full of gratitude. After so many years, he returns to the country of his birth: To everyone who walked with us throughout this journey, I can only say that we will never forget the good you did for our family. Your prayers were heard, your words sustained us when we needed it most, and your support reminded us that we were never alone. May God bless each of you—your families, your homes, and every institution and person who lent us a helping hand. May He return to you—in health, peace, love, and abundant blessings—all the good you sowed in us. P.S. As a mother, I will be eternally grateful to everyone who was there for us along this difficult path. Thank you for believing, for praying, and for standing by us. And to Trion High School: thank you for being part of my son’s story and for showing him that he would always have a family away from home. That affection will remain in our hearts forever. God bless you today and always.
