ICE detention of children in Minnesota operations sparks backlash

January 22, 2026

TL;DR

ICE is receiving criticism for detaining children in Minnesota.
Protests have occurred following an incident where an ICE officer killed a woman who hit him with her SUV.
The detention of four children in Columbia Heights Public School District has intensified anger towards ICE.
Superintendent Zena Stenvik reported that nearly a third of students stayed home due to fear of ICE operations.
A 5-year-old boy, Liam Ramos, was detained with his father, who has an active asylum case.
Critics allege ICE used the 5-year-old as 'bait' to enter his parents' home.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated on X that ICE did not target a child and that the child was 'ABANDONED'.
DHS claims the operation targeted Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador.
ICE rejected the 'bait' claim, calling those who make it 'lying for clicks'.
A 10-year-old student was previously taken by ICE two weeks prior, along with her mother, and are now in a Texas detention center.
The lawyer for the Ramos family called ICE's actions 'cruel' but likely not illegal.
Ramos and his father are in San Antonio in Homeland Security custody.

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