ICE Arrests of Minnesota School Children Spark Outrage and Concern
School district officials in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, are reeling after four students from the district were recently taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The arrests have left the community shaken, with many questioning the tactics used by ICE and the impact on the children and their families.
The Columbia Heights Public School District reported that two children were taken on Tuesday, including a 17-year-old boy who was removed from his car on his way to school. In a separate incident, 5-year-old Liam Ramos was taken with his father while in their driveway after arriving home from preschool. School officials claim that Liam was used as “bait” to gain entry into the home, allowing officers to determine if anyone else was present.
A Disturbing Trend
School Superintendent Zena Stenvik expressed outrage over the arrests, particularly the detention of a 5-year-old child. “Why detain a 5-year-old? You can’t tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal,” she said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later stated that Liam was not targeted by ICE, but was “abandoned” by his father, who allegedly fled federal agents. However, the school district and the Ramos family’s attorney, Marc Prokosch, deny this claim, stating that Liam and his father entered the US legally from Ecuador and have no criminal record.
The Ecuadorian government has also become involved, with its consulate in Minneapolis contacting ICE to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. The consulate is monitoring the situation closely to safeguard Liam’s rights. Two weeks prior to Liam’s arrest, a 10-year-old student in fourth grade was taken by ICE agents on her way to elementary school with her mother. Both children and their parents are currently being held in a detention center in Texas, despite the family’s active asylum case and no order of deportation.
A Call to Action
School officials are urging the public to get involved, as this issue affects not only their district but also students across the state of Minnesota. “We are asking to please reach out to your congressional representative to ask for an immediate and peaceful resolution to this occupation,” Stenvik said. The district has also hired an immigration lawyer to help navigate the situation and reunite the students with their families. Meanwhile, ICE continues to patrol the area around the schools, causing anxiety among students, parents, and staff.
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