ICE Detains Five-Year-Old and Father in Minnesota, Lawyer Says
Incident Overview
– On Tuesday, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained five-year-old Liam Ramos during an immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota. His father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, was also apprehended at that time.
– According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), ICE stated that it did NOT target a child but was focused on Conejo Arias, labeled as an illegal alien who abandoned his son upon being approached by agents.
Local Reactions
– Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik expressed her concern, questioning, Why detain a five-year-old? You can’t tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal.
– The DHS later clarified in a statement that the child had not been intentionally detained. A criminal illegal alien ABANDONED his child as he fled from ICE officers, the agency explained. Our officers ensured the child was kept SAFE in the bitter cold.
– The authorities noted that they made multiple attempts to have the family enter the house and take custody of the child, which they refused.
Family’s Background
– Liam and his father had come to the US from Ecuador in 2024 with hopes of seeking asylum. Their lawyer, Marc Prokosch, emphasized that the family was not avoiding ICE; instead, they were adhering to all legal procedures.
– Prokosch mentioned in a recent press conference that both Liam and his father were currently being held at a detention center in San Antonio, Texas, and that efforts were underway to reach them.
Scene of the Incident
– Photos shared by the local school district depict Liam, wearing a bunny-shaped winter hat, standing outside while an officer holds his backpack. The district referred to these images as bystander photos but did not disclose the identities of those who captured them.
– During the operation, an agent reportedly asked young Liam to knock on the door to see if anyone else was home. Liam had just returned from preschool.
– Stenvik confirmed that another adult present offered to take Liam inside, but this request was denied by ICE agents. School board member Mary Granlund, who was at the scene, stated she offered to take the boy into custody, but ICE still chose to detain him.
Government Perspective
– US Vice-President JD Vance, responding to protests against immigration enforcement in Minnesota, justified ICE’s actions by stating, What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?
– Vance further criticized the idea of not arresting individuals who have violated immigration laws. That doesn’t make any sense, he asserted.
Broader Implications
– Superintendent Stenvik highlighted that this is not an isolated incident; recent ICE activities have resulted in the detention of four students from her district, including a 10-year-old and two 17-year-olds. She conveyed that the onslaught of ICE activity in our community is inducing trauma.
– The DHS asserts that their operations target the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens to enhance public safety in Minnesota. Gregory Bovino of the US Border Patrol noted, Our operations are lawful, targeted, and focused on individuals who pose a serious threat to this community.
– This immigration enforcement initiative, known as Operation Metro Surge, has sparked significant backlash from residents of Minneapolis, St. Paul, and surrounding areas. Recent events, including the fatal shooting of a woman named Renee Good by a federal officer, have further fueled community protests.
Legislative Actions
– In a related development, seven Democrats in the US House of Representatives joined Republicans to narrowly pass a funding bill totaling $1.2 trillion for various government agencies, including ICE. This bill, which allocates $64.4 billion to the DHS and $10 billion specifically for ICE, has yet to be approved by the Senate.
– The decision by some Democrats to support the funding was driven by the need to finance the Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, both under the DHS umbrella.
Conclusion
The detention of five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father by ICE in Minnesota has ignited widespread debate about immigration enforcement practices and their impact on families. As the community grapples with these recent events, many are calling for a reevaluation of how such operations are conducted, particularly concerning vulnerable individuals, like children.