In brief
Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old boy, was detained along with his father during an immigration enforcement operation in Columbia Heights, Minnesota. Despite the family having an active asylum case, federal agents reportedly used the child as a means to apprehend the father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who is in the U.S. illegally. School officials and advocates have raised alarms about the impact on immigrant families in the area as several children from local schools have been detained in recent weeks.
A 5-year-old boy arriving home from preschool in Minnesota was taken by federal agents along with his father to a detention facility in Texas, making him the latest child caught up in the recent immigration enforcement surge in the Twin Cities.
Federal agents apprehended Liam Conejo Ramos from a running car parked in the family’s driveway on Tuesday afternoon. Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik stated during a news conference that the officers instructed Liam to knock on the door to check if others were inside, effectively using the child as bait.
Stenvik noted that the family has an active asylum case and has not received any deportation orders. “Why detain a 5-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal,” she expressed.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was not targeting the child, but rather carrying out an operation to arrest his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from Ecuador, who allegedly fled on foot during the detention.
In regards to the situation, McLaughlin said, “For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.” She added that parents can choose whether to be removed with their children or have them placed with a trusted guardian.
Another adult present at the scene was not allowed to keep Liam, which raises questions about the family dynamics during such arrests. Reports indicate that Liam and his father are currently being held in a family detention center in Texas.
Liam's attorney criticized the actions of ICE, describing them as cruel—pointing out that the family has been complying with the immigration process throughout. Advocates for immigrant rights have voiced concerns over the ongoing immigration sweeps, highlighting how they have been particularly focused on Minnesota. Over the past six weeks, approximately 3,000 individuals deemed dangerous offenders have been arrested in the state.
In recent weeks, the Columbia Heights Public Schools district has seen a drop in attendance, with several students detained by ICE. Liam is the fourth student from this district reported taken by federal authorities. His teacher spoke fondly of him, saying, “His classmates miss him, and all I want is for him to be safe and back here.”
