ICE Detains 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos in Minnesota

In a troubling incident in Minnesota, federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. This occurred outside his home in Columbia Heights as he returned from preschool. Liam was taken along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, during an operation aimed primarily at the father.

Background of Liam and His Family

Liam and his father are originally from Ecuador and had legally presented themselves at the border in Texas to seek asylum in December 2024. According to their attorney, Marc Prokosch, the family is pursuing a legitimate legal pathway for asylum. Prokosch emphasized that they are not illegal immigrants.

Details of the Detention

The incident unfolded on a Tuesday when Liam was removed from a parked car. The child’s father was the intended target of the operation. Despite efforts from other adults present to care for the boy, ICE agents declined their assistance. Prokosch stated that the father has no criminal record in Minnesota.

The two are currently being held at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, a facility designed for families. The center features several amenities aimed at providing a more comfortable environment for detained families.

ICE’s Response and Controversies

ICE responded to allegations that they used Liam as “bait” during the operation, stating that the child was “abandoned” by his father. In a press briefing, Vice President JD Vance supported ICE’s actions, arguing that they have a duty to enforce immigration laws. Vance claimed that the focus should remain on the father’s illegal status.

Prokosch criticized the treatment of the family, asserting that they have been pursuing their asylum claim through legal means and have done everything correctly. Despite recent negative attention towards ICE, the situation highlights ongoing concerns about tactics used during enforcement actions in the community.

Impact on the Community

This incident is part of a broader pattern in Columbia Heights, where several other children and young adults have also been detained by ICE. School officials reported multiple cases involving students taken while on their way to school. Such actions have raised alarms within the community regarding safety and the treatment of immigrants.

• A 17-year-old student was taken by ICE agents on the same day as Liam.
• A separate incident involved another 17-year-old and her mother.
• Just weeks before, a 10-year-old fourth grader was also detained on her way to school.

As tensions rise around immigration enforcement, families and community members are expressing their concerns about the safety and well-being of children like Liam in the current climate.