DIAMONDHEAD, Miss. (WLOX) — Israel and Max Makoka, brothers from the Republic of the Congo, are back home after nine days in ICE detention. Israel and Max Makoka, brothers from the Republic of the Congo, are back home after nine days in ICE detention. The boys came to the country legally and were originally at Piney Woods School, but they felt isolated. Luckily, they were connected to Gail and Cliff Baptiste, who had helped students in their situation before.