At a Glance
- Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, and his father were detained in Columbia Heights, Minnesota.
- ICE agents allegedly used the child to locate the father, who fled on foot.
- The family has an active asylum case and has followed U.S. legal procedures.
Why it matters: The incident raises questions about ICE’s treatment of minors and the policy of removing families together.
A 5-year-old boy named Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, after returning from preschool. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the child was not a target, but agents reportedly used him to find the father, who fled on foot. The pair were transported to a Texas detention center, where the father remains in custody.
ICE Detains 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos
ICE agents approached the family’s driveway as they returned home from preschool. According to the Columbia Heights Public School District, the father fled on foot when the agents arrived. After his capture, agents allegedly asked Liam to knock on the door to see if anyone else was inside, “essentially using a 5-year-old as bait,” said Superintendent Zena Stenvik. She added that another adult in the home had begged the agents to leave the child with them, but the request was denied.
> “This family is following U.S. legal parameters and has an active asylum case with no order of deportation,” Stenvik told the Washington Post, Guardian and Fox 9. “I have viewed the legal paperwork with my own eyes.”
The DHS spokesperson told the Post that ICE’s policy is to ask parents if they want to be removed with their children. If parents decline, children are left with a designated safe person. The Post noted that it was unclear why Liam was not left with the adult who asked to care for him.
The incident unfolded quickly. Agents arrived, confronted the father, who ran, and then turned to the child. The father was taken to a Texas facility while the child was placed with a safe person. The school district confirmed that the older brother returned to the home 20 minutes later and found both parents missing.
Family and School District Response
The family’s lawyer, Marc Prokosch, told the Guardian that Liam and his father are not U.S. citizens, are seeking asylum, and have an active case. He said they arrived at an official point of entry and have “done everything they were supposed to in accordance with how the rules have been set out.” Prokosch added that the family “have been following the legal process perfectly, from presenting themselves at the border to applying for asylum and waiting for the process to go through.”
Stenvik echoed similar sentiments in a statement to the Post, Guardian and Fox 9, saying, “This family is following U.S. legal parameters and has an active asylum case with no order of deportation. I have viewed the legal paperwork with my own eyes.” She added, “Why detain a 5-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal.”
The school district, the lawyer and DHS did not respond to News Of Los Angeles‘s request for comment.
Other Detentions in Columbia Heights
The Columbia Heights Public School District reported that three other students were detained by ICE this month, including a 17-year-old and a 10-year-old. Stenvik said the 17-year-old was removed from their car by “armed and masked agents” believed to be ICE and detained without parents present last week. Earlier, a 10-year-old was detained with her mother on the way to elementary school; the mother later found both had been taken.
These incidents suggest a pattern of ICE activity in the area. The district has urged parents to stay informed and to seek legal counsel if they suspect an impending encounter.
Legal Context and Policy
DHS clarified that it is not targeting children in ICE operations. The agency explained that its policy is to ask parents whether they wish to be removed with their children. If parents refuse, children are placed with a safe person. The policy, however, has drawn criticism for involving minors in the detention process.
Critics argue that involving children can cause trauma and violates international conventions. Supporters of the policy say it helps streamline the removal process and ensures families are processed together when possible.
The incident highlights the tension between ICE’s enforcement goals and the legal protections afforded to children. It also underscores the importance of clear communication between law-enforcement agencies, schools, and families during immigration proceedings.
Impact on the Family
The detainment has left the family in distress. Liam’s brother was unable to find his parents and had to wait for school officials. The family has expressed concern over the safety of their child.
The father, Adrian, was taken to a Texas facility where he remains in custody pending further proceedings.
The family’s lawyer emphasized that they complied with all legal requirements and that the detention is unjust.
The school district has called for better communication between ICE and schools to prevent such incidents.
The incident has sparked debate among child welfare advocates about the use of minors in enforcement.
Some argue that involving children can cause trauma and violates international norms.
Supporters of ICE policy argue that it ensures families are processed together when possible and reduces administrative burden.
The DHS spokesperson reiterated that the policy is designed to protect children by placing them with a safe person if parents decline removal.
The policy has been in place for several years and is part of ICE’s broader strategy to enforce immigration laws.
The family’s asylum case remains pending, and they are awaiting a decision from immigration authorities.
The incident underscores the need for clear guidelines to protect minors during enforcement.
The school district has urged parents to remain vigilant and to seek legal counsel if they suspect ICE activity.
The local community has expressed concern over the safety of children in schools.
The incident has drawn attention to ICE’s broader approach to family detentions.
The DHS spokesperson said that ICE does not target children and that the policy is consistent with federal law.
The policy has faced criticism from various advocacy groups.
The family’s lawyer said that the family has not been ordered for deportation and that they have an active asylum case.
Timeline of Detentions
| Date | Age | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| This month | 5 | Detained, transported to Texas | Columbia Heights |
| This month | 17 | Detained, removed from car | Columbia Heights |
| This month | 10 | Detained with mother | Columbia Heights |
Key Takeaways
- Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained in Minnesota and sent to Texas.
- ICE allegedly used a 5-year-old as a “bait” to locate the father.
- The family has an active asylum case and has complied with U.S. immigration procedures.
- Other students in Columbia Heights were also detained by ICE this month.
- DHS stated that children are not targeted, but the policy of removing families together remains controversial.
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