U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has sparked outrage in Minnesota after reportedly detaining four children from the Columbia Heights school district, including five-year-old preschooler Liam Ramos. Authorities have defended the operation, but local officials say the incidents have traumatized the community.
Liam was taken into custody with his father on January 20 as they returned home from preschool. According to Superintendent Zena Stenvik, ICE agents removed Liam from the car and instructed him to knock on his front door to see if anyone was home—an action she described as “using a five-year-old as bait.” Despite another adult being present and offering to care for the child, ICE refused. Liam’s older brother arrived shortly after to find them gone.
Stenvik condemned the detention of young children, saying it shattered the sense of safety around schools and left students and staff traumatized. She accused ICE of aggressive tactics, including monitoring neighborhoods, schools, and buses, causing families to fear sending children to school.
Liam’s attorney confirmed the family entered the U.S. legally and has an active asylum case, warning that the incident will cause lasting harm not only to the family but also to classmates and the wider community.
The other detained children reportedly include a 10-year-old taken with her mother and two 17-year-old students. The Department of Homeland Security defended the operation, saying Liam’s father was the target, labeling him an “illegal alien,” and insisting ICE did not target the child.
School officials continue to support affected families, stressing that their priority is keeping children safe and reminding the public that these are young kids—not criminals.
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