In a shocking series of events in Minnesota, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly detained four children from the Columbia Heights school district, including five-year-old preschooler Liam Ramos.
At the same time, authorities have defended the operation.
”Using a five-year-old as bait”
The fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old Renée Good by a U.S. ICE officer have continued to inflame tensions between local residents, politicians and federal authorities in Minneapolis. And several, new incidents from the state is stirring strong emotions.
One of the most striking case involves 5‑year‑old Liam Conejo Ramos. The boy was taken into custody with his father as they arrived home from preschool, school officials in a Minneapolis suburb said Wednesday.
Liam and his father were taken into custody while returning home from school on Tuesday, January 20, and transported to a Texas detention center, according to the district’s superintendent, Zena Stenvik. She described arriving at their home to find the father’s car still running but both father and son already apprehended.
“An agent had taken Liam out of the car, led him to his front door, and directed him to knock to see if anyone else was home — essentially using a five-year-old as bait,” Stenvik said at a news conference.Courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools
Despite pleas from another adult at the home to care for Liam, ICE denied the request. Liam’s older brother arrived 20 minutes later to find them missing.
The superintendent expressed outrage over the targeting of young children.
“Why detain a five-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal,” she said. Stenvik also revealed that parents and school staff are struggling with the emotional toll.
“Our children are traumatized. The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken. After our fourth student was taken yesterday, I just thought someone has to hear the story. They’re taking children.”
Entered the U.S. legally
Liam’s attorney, Marc Prokosch, confirmed that the family has an active asylum case and entered the U.S. legally, according to The Guardian.
“They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals. They did everything they were supposed to in accordance with the rules,” he said.
Prokosch also warned of wider effects: “Once his classmates learn the government took him away … I’m not qualified to talk about how much damage that is going to cause. It’s not just the family, it’s the entire community and all of those kids who are now going to be facing secondary trauma.”Courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools
The other three children reportedly detained include a 10-year-old fourth grader taken with her mother on January 6, and two 17-year-old high school students — one removed without parents present on January 20 and another detained with her mother on January 14.
Stenvik accused ICE of aggressive tactics in the district:
“ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our kids.” She said the arrests have left families terrified to send children to school.
Defends the operation: “Illegal alien”
In a statement released on January 21, Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the operation, stating Liam’s father was the target and labeling him an “illegal alien.” She claimed, “ICE did NOT target a child,” and suggested the father “abandoned” Liam, insisting an officer stayed with the child for his safety.
Meanwhile, the school district released photos of the encounter showing Liam outside his front door with a masked agent by his side and standing near a car while another adult held his backpack. Liam’s teacher described him as “a bright young student… so kind and loving… All I want is for him to be back here and safe.”
Stenvik said school leaders are doing their best to support families and navigate legal challenges. “Our role is to educate children during the school day. But now we’re trying to help people navigate this legal system. Our main priority is to keep children safe. They’re children. They are not violent criminals. They are little kids.”