Dispute Over 5-Year-Old Boy’s Detention by ICE Agents in Minnesota
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has disputed claims made by a Minnesota school district that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents used a 5-year-old boy as bait to apprehend his father. According to the Columbia Heights Public School District, Liam Ramos was taken into custody along with his father after arriving home from preschool. School officials alleged that the child was used by agents to knock on the door and ask to be let in, allowing officers to determine if anyone else was present.
Contrasting Accounts of the Incident
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin countered that “ICE did NOT target a child” and instead claimed that the child was abandoned by his father, who allegedly fled from federal agents as they approached his vehicle. McLaughlin stated that the father, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador, was taken into custody while an ICE officer remained with the child to ensure his safety. However, school officials reported that a nearby adult offered to take care of the child, but ICE agents declined the offer.
McLaughlin further denounced the allegations, calling them “a horrific smear” and emphasizing that ICE officers had made multiple attempts to arrange for the child’s mother, who was inside the house, to take custody of the child. She noted that the mother refused to accept custody, and the father requested that the child remain with him. McLaughlin explained that parents are typically asked if they want to be removed with their children or if they would like to designate a safe person to care for them, which is consistent with past administrations’ immigration enforcement policies.
Asylum Claim and Family’s Immigration Status
An attorney for the Ramos family, Marc Prokosch, revealed that the family had entered the United States through a port of entry in 2024 using the CBP app and had requested asylum. Prokosch emphasized that the family had followed all required steps in their immigration process, characterizing their detention as “cruelty.” The Ecuadorian government has also become involved, with its consulate in Minneapolis contacting ICE to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.
Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, described him as “kind and loving,” and expressed concern for his well-being, stating that his classmates miss him and she wants him to be safe and back in school. The Columbia Heights school district reported that Liam’s family is not alone in their experience, as three other students have been taken into custody by federal agents, including a 17-year-old boy and a 10-year-old elementary school student.
Immigration Sweeps in Minnesota
Minnesota has become a focal point for immigration sweeps by DHS-led agencies, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Greg Bovino announcing the arrest of 3,000 “dangerous offenders” in the state over the past six weeks. However, Julia Decker, policy director at the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, pointed out that advocates have no way of verifying the accuracy of the government’s arrest numbers and descriptions of those in custody.
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