Outrage Erupts Over Detention of Five-Year-Old in US Immigration Crackdown
US federal officials faced mounting criticism on Friday as they attempted to address the growing public fury surrounding the detention of a five-year-old boy during a large-scale immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. The incident has triggered widespread protests, with numerous businesses in the city shutting down in solidarity against the ongoing raids.
Details of the Detention Incident
Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschool student at Columbia Heights Public Schools, was taken into custody alongside his Ecuadorian father, Adrian Conejo Arias. Both individuals are asylum seekers. According to Zena Stenvik, the superintendent of the school district, the pair were apprehended in their driveway upon arriving home. Stenvik further alleged that Ramos was used as "bait" by immigration officers, who knocked on the door of his residence to lure out other occupants.
This operation is part of a broader campaign by President Donald Trump to deport illegal immigrants nationwide, involving the deployment of thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Minneapolis, a city led by Democrats.
Official Responses and Controversial Statements
In remarks made on Thursday, Vice President JD Vance confirmed Ramos's detention but defended the actions of ICE agents. He argued that the officers were protecting the child after his father allegedly "ran" from them. "What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?" Vance stated, sparking further debate.
However, this explanation was swiftly rejected by Democratic congressman Joaquin Castro, whose constituency includes a San Antonio ICE detention center where Ramos is believed to have been taken. Castro expressed concerns over the child's safety and demanded his release, highlighting efforts to locate him.
Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino and ICE commander Marcos Charles both defended their handling of the situation. Bovino asserted that officers are "experts in dealing with children," while Charles claimed that efforts were made to reunite Ramos with his family, alleging that the family refused to open the door. Charles added that Ramos and his father are now at a "family residential center pending their immigration proceedings," following accusations of illegal entry and deportability.
Widespread Protests and Community Reactions
The detention has ignited significant backlash, with calls for action against ICE gaining momentum on social media. A general strike and day of protest were organized, leading to hundreds of shops, eateries, and attractions closing their doors in Minneapolis, as reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune. Demonstrations included a march through downtown Minneapolis ending at the Target Center arena, under the slogan "No work. No school. No shopping."
Separately, protesters picketed outside Minneapolis St. Paul airport over its role in deportations, resulting in approximately 100 arrests according to organizers. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office issued dispersal orders for what it deemed an "unlawful protest."
Broader Context and Legal Developments
Former US vice president Kamala Harris voiced her outrage, describing Ramos as "just a baby." Local administrators noted that Ramos is one of at least four children detained in the same Minneapolis school district this month, underscoring the impact of immigration enforcement on young individuals.
The situation in Minneapolis has been further inflamed by recent events, including the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Good by federal agents on January 7, which has led to tense protests. An autopsy classified the killing as a homicide, though no charges have been filed against the officer involved.
Marc Prokosch, the lawyer for Ramos and his father, emphasized that they followed legal procedures in applying for asylum in Minneapolis, a sanctuary city where local police do not cooperate with federal immigration authorities. This case highlights the long-standing issue of children being caught in immigration enforcement under various administrations.
In response, Minnesota has sought a temporary restraining order to halt the ICE operations in the state, with a hearing scheduled for Monday. If granted by a federal judge, this would pause the sweeps, offering a potential reprieve amid the ongoing controversy.
