In a shocking incident, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehended a five-year-old boy from Minnesota right as he was returning home from school. This event, which occurred on a Tuesday, has prompted widespread concern and raised questions about immigration enforcement practices. According to officials from the school district, the child, named Liam Ramos, and his father were taken into custody in their own driveway, a situation that has left many community members reeling.
Zena Stenvik, the superintendent of Columbia Heights School District—a suburb of Minneapolis—held a press conference the following day to address the alarming circumstances surrounding Liam's detention. She explained that upon arriving at their home after learning of the incident, she discovered the father’s vehicle was still running, yet both he and Liam had been detained by ICE agents. In a particularly distressing account, Stenvik noted that one agent removed Liam from the car and, using the young boy, instructed him to knock on the front door to check if anyone else was inside the house. "Essentially using a five-year-old as bait," she remarked during her statement.
During this encounter, another adult who lived at the residence pleaded with the agents to allow him to care for Liam to prevent the boy from being taken away, but his request was denied. Twenty minutes later, Liam’s older brother returned home only to find his father and brother missing, further emphasizing the distressing impact of such actions on family dynamics. Two school principals also arrived at the residence to offer support during this traumatic event.
Marc Prokosch, the attorney representing Liam's family, highlighted that they have an active asylum case and provided documentation indicating that they had entered the United States through an official point of entry. "This family adhered to all regulations established for asylum seekers," Prokosch stated firmly. "They did not enter the country illegally, and they should not be treated as criminals." He confirmed that there were no deportation orders against them and expressed hope that the father and son were still together in detention.
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security and ICE did not respond quickly to requests for comments regarding this incident, underscoring the lack of transparency around such detentions.
Photographs released by school officials captured the moment, revealing Liam, adorned in a blue knit hat, standing at his front door next to a masked agent, illustrating the stark reality of the situation. Another photo depicted him beside a car, with a man grasping his backpack. Stenvik’s frustration was evident as she questioned the rationale behind detaining a child so young. "There is no way to justify labeling this child as a violent criminal," she asserted.
A statement from Liam’s teacher conveyed the deep concern felt within the educational community. "Liam shines in our classroom; he brings kindness and joy to his peers. We all wish for his safe return to school," the teacher expressed.
Prokosch emphasized that the repercussions of detaining such a young child extend beyond the immediate family. "Once his classmates find out about the government seizing him, it will undoubtedly cause significant emotional trauma. This situation affects not just the family but the entire community and the children who now face this secondary trauma."
On the same day, another troubling incident occurred where a 17-year-old student from Columbia Heights was taken by armed agents without parental presence, further highlighting concerns about ICE's methods. Stenvik disclosed that this student was forcibly removed from their vehicle during the process.
In a separate incident reported on January 14, ICE agents reportedly forced their way into an apartment to detain a high school girl and her mother. Additionally, on January 6, a ten-year-old girl was allegedly taken by ICE while headed to school with her mother. This child managed to call her father during the chaotic arrest, misleadingly informing him that ICE would bring her to school; however, upon his arrival, he learned that both his daughter and wife had been taken into custody and placed in a Texas detention center.
As school officials were preparing for the press conference, an ICE vehicle appeared on the premises of the high school, prompting administrators to request its departure. Stenvik described the unsettling presence of ICE in their neighborhoods, saying, "They’ve been following our school buses and entering our parking lots, taking our children."
DHS did not respond to inquiries regarding these additional arrests or the reported presence of ICE at the school.
In an interview after the press conference, Stenvik reflected on the heavy toll these arrests and the ongoing visibility of ICE have had on students, parents, and staff alike. "Our children are living in fear; the sense of security in our schools and community has been shattered," she lamented. "I believe I can speak for all of our staff when I say that our hearts are broken. After witnessing the fourth student taken away, I felt compelled to share our story. Children are being taken."
The atmosphere of fear has prompted some families to remain at home rather than risk encountering ICE. Stenvik indicated that school leaders are trying to assist those affected by these actions, noting, "Our primary responsibility is to educate children. Yet now, we find ourselves navigating this complex legal landscape to help families. Our utmost priority remains the safety of our children; they are innocent kids, not criminals."
Rachel Leingang contributed to this report.
