The Latest: Rally held to support NC teen facing deportation

DURHAM, N.C. – The Latest on a rally in support of a North Carolina teen facing deportation (all times local):

5:45 p.m.

Supporters of a North Carolina teen facing deportation to his native Honduras say he deserves the opportunity to return to high school and graduate in June.

About 50 people attended a rally Thursday in Durham for 19-year-old Wildin Acosta, a senior at Riverside High School. They say his absence has created fear among other students, who want their classmate to return by the time the fourth quarter begins April 4 so he can graduate in June.

They chanted phrases such as "education not deportation" and "I believe that we will win."

They also rallied in support of five other North Carolina students they say are being detained and threatened with deportation. Organizer Ivan Almonte says three North Carolina teens have already been deported.

Supporters say they're six of about 800 teenagers who arrived in the U.S. as unaccompanied children who have been detained or deported by ICE since October.

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4 a.m.

Supporters of a North Carolina teen facing deportation to his native Honduras are holding a rally to call for his release from jail.

The rally in support of 19-year-old Wildin Acosta will be held Thursday in Durham. Supporters say he's one of about 800 teenagers who arrived in the U.S. as unaccompanied children and have been detained or deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since October.

Acosta is being held in a rural Georgia jail. He has said he fled Honduras after a gang member threatened to kill him.

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield said Sunday that ICE issued an order preventing Acosta's immediate deportation. Supporters say the stay was for one day so Acosta could file an appeal and that he could be deported any day.