Why was 5-year-old Liam Ramos detained by ICE? Minnesota community demands answers
Liam Conejo Ramos’ school photo. Photo courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools
The detention of five-year-old Liam Ramos by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has ignited intense backlash across Minnesota and beyond, raising urgent questions about immigration enforcement practices involving children under the Trump administration.
According to school officials, Liam, a preschool student in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, was taken into custody alongside his father on Tuesday as they arrived home from school. The pair were later transferred to a Texas detention facility, despite the family having an active asylum case and no deportation order on record.
The incident has drawn condemnation from educators, immigration advocates, and community leaders, who say the case highlights a troubling escalation in enforcement tactics that directly affect children.
School Officials Describe Disturbing Arrest Scene
Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said Liam and his father were detained in their driveway, moments after returning from school. When she arrived at the scene, the father’s car was still running and both had already been apprehended.
Stenvik alleged that an ICE agent removed Liam from the vehicle and instructed the child to knock on his front door to see if anyone else was home, a move she described as “using a five-year-old as bait.”
Another adult present at the home reportedly pleaded to take custody of the child to prevent his detention but was denied. Liam’s older brother later returned home to find both his father and younger sibling missing.
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Family Lawyer Says Asylum Process Was Followed
Attorney Marc Prokosch, who represents the family, stated that Liam and his father entered the United States legally through a port of entry and complied fully with asylum procedures.
“The family did everything they were supposed to do,” Prokosch said. “They are not criminals. There is no deportation order.”
He confirmed that father and son are believed to be detained together in Texas, though details about their legal status remain limited.
DHS Pushes Back, Denies Targeting the Child
The Department of Homeland Security disputed claims that ICE targeted Liam. In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the operation focused on the father, whom she described as undocumented.
She alleged the father fled briefly, leaving the child behind, a claim school officials strongly contest. DHS also stated that parents are typically offered the option to remain detained with their children or designate a safe guardian.
However, critics argue the explanation fails to justify why a kindergarten-aged child ended up in federal detention.
Teachers and Community Warn of Lasting Trauma
Liam’s teacher described him as “bright, kind, and loving,” adding that his absence has deeply affected classmates. Legal experts warn the psychological impact extends beyond one family.
“Once classmates learn the government took him away, the damage is community-wide,” Prokosch said, citing secondary trauma among children.
School officials confirmed that at least four students in the district have been detained by ICE in recent weeks, including teenagers and elementary school children, prompting some families to keep their children home out of fear.
Immigration Enforcement Near Schools Raises Alarm
Stenvik also revealed that ICE vehicles have been seen circling school buses, parking lots, and even entering school grounds, despite long-standing guidance discouraging enforcement actions near sensitive locations.
“Our children are traumatized,” she said. “The sense of safety around our schools is shattered.”
The district says it is now assisting families with legal navigation while prioritizing student safety.
A Flashpoint in America’s Immigration Debate
The detention of Liam Ramos has become a flashpoint in the broader national debate over immigration enforcement, child welfare, and due process, particularly under intensified federal operations.
As advocates call for accountability and clearer protections for minors, the case underscores growing concerns about how immigration policy intersects with education, family unity, and basic human rights.
FAQ
Who is Liam Ramos?
Liam Ramos is a five-year-old preschool student from Columbia Heights, Minnesota, who was detained by ICE alongside his father while returning home from school.
Why was Liam Ramos detained by ICE?
ICE says the operation targeted Liam’s father as part of a “targeted enforcement action.” School officials and the family’s attorney dispute ICE’s account, noting the family has an active asylum case.
Was Liam Ramos targeted directly by ICE?
DHS denies targeting the child, but school officials say agents physically removed Liam from the car and prevented another adult from taking custody.
Is it legal for ICE to detain children?
ICE can detain children when accompanying a detained parent, but child welfare advocates argue such actions should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
Did Liam Ramos enter the U.S. illegally?
According to his attorney, Liam and his father entered the U.S. legally through a port of entry and followed asylum procedures.
Where is Liam Ramos now?
Liam and his father were transferred to a detention center in Texas and are believed to be held together.
Are ICE agents allowed near schools?
Federal guidance discourages ICE enforcement near schools, but recent reports from Minnesota suggest agents have been operating close to school grounds.
Why is this case causing national outrage?
The detention of a five-year-old has raised ethical, legal, and humanitarian concerns about immigration enforcement involving minors.
