US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained a five-year-old boy on Tuesday during an immigration enforcement operation, according to Minnesota school officials and the family's lawyer.
The pre-schooler, Liam Ramos, was with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, when agents approached them on their driveway.
In a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that ICE did NOT target a child but was focusing on the father's alleged illegal status, claiming he abandoned his son when confronted.
The superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, Zena Stenvik, questioned the necessity of detaining a young child, asserting that it does not classify him as a violent criminal.
ICE responded, asserting that the child was not detained inappropriately and that they made attempts to ensure his safety during the operation.
Photos shared by the school district depicted Liam, identifiable by a bunny-shaped winter hat, standing outside as an officer held onto his backpack.
Marc Prokosch, the family's attorney, stated that both Liam and his father were now at a detention center in San Antonio, Texas, following their arrival in the US from Ecuador in 2024, seeking asylum.
Prokosch emphasized that the family had been complying with immigration protocols and were not trying to evade ICE. The incident has drawn protests and raised questions about the impact of such enforcement actions on communities.
Stenvik reported that ICE activity has recently increased in the community, causing significant trauma among students. The ICE operation, referred to as Operation Metro Surge, has been met with backlash from residents, highlighting the tensions surrounding immigration enforcement.
The ongoing situation continues to raise critical discussions about the handling of families by immigration authorities and the balance between enforcement and compassion.
