Full Breakdown
ICE Detention of Hancock High School Students Highlights Visa Enforcement Challenges
5/1/2026, 6:44:58 PM
Detention at a Diamondhead Bus Stop
On April 21, 2026, ICE agents surrounded a school bus stop in Diamondhead, Mississippi, and zip-tied two Hancock High School students, Israel Makoka (18) and Max Makoka (15), before moving them to ICE custody. The brothers had entered the United States on F-1 visas tied to Piney Woods School. Transferring to the public Hancock High required a new I-20; the family says they were not warned that the transfer left the brothers “out of status,” prompting the enforcement action.
Timeline
The brothers received F-1 visas in 2023-2024, transferred to Hancock High in early 2026, were detained on April 21, and were reported released by late April.
Responses and Community Reaction
Rep. Mike Ezell said his office is “closely monitoring the situation” and is in contact with ICE. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith’s office reported working with the Baptiste family, though an attorney noted no clear legal path to remain. ICE said the brothers “violated their student visas by failing to attend classes at Piney Woods School” and are “subject to removal.” Piney Woods School affirmed its compliance with federal law. Host mother Gail Baptiste described the boys as “such a big part of the family,” and Coach Conner Entriken said they have “made the team much, much better.” Immigration attorneys Jeremy Litton and Asma Ali warned that visa violations leave students with limited options and that families are rarely warned before status loss.
Conflicting Details
Sources list Israel’s age as 18 or 17 and differ on whether the brothers remain in ICE custody or have been released. No hearing date has been set, and officials have not disclosed which agency flagged the visa change.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Once they’ve been picked up and violate the terms of their visa, there’s nothing you can do after that, other than if there is some claim for asylum or if there’s some reason they don’t want to go back to their home country, that’s certainly something they should articulate at this point,” — Jeremy Litton, Immigration Attorney
- “There’s so many people that just love these boys.” — Gail Baptiste, Host Mother
- “They’ve done nothing but make this community, this school and this team much, much better since they’ve arrived,” — Conner Entriken, Hancock High Basketball Coach
Next Steps
A removal hearing has not been scheduled. The family is seeking bond and reunification while attorneys explore asylum or hardship claims. Community advocates continue to request clearer guidance on student-visa transfers.
