A 5-Year-Old "Bait": The Liam Conejo Ramos ICE Detention 2026 Controversy
On January 20, 2026, ICE agents in Minnesota detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, allegedly using him as bait to arrest his father. This report covers the ongoing controversy and the broader immigration crackdown.
What happens when a preschooler becomes a tactical tool for federal agents? A shocking incident in Minnesota has sparked a nationwide debate over the ethical boundaries of immigration enforcement and the safety of migrant children.
Liam Conejo Ramos ICE Detention 2026: The Driveway Arrest
According to reports from Reuters, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained 5-year-oldLiam Conejo Ramos in his own driveway on January 20, 2026. School officials allege that the agents used the child as "bait," instructing him to knock on his home's door to lure out other occupants, including his father, who has a pending asylum case.
Zena Stenvik, Superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools, expressed outrage during a Wednesday news conference. She noted that the family, who arrived in the US in 2024, hadn't been ordered to leave the country. "Why detain a five-year-old?" Stenvik asked, highlighting that Liam is the fourth student from her district detained in recent weeks.
Deteriorating Conditions in Detention Centers
The family's lawyer, Marc Prokosch, confirmed that Liam and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, were moved to a facility in Dilley, Texas. Advocacy groups warn that conditions at such sites are hitting a breaking point. Leecia Welch from Children's Rights reported an "epidemic of illnesses" and claimed some children have been held for over 100 days.
Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien?
During a visit to Minneapolis, Vice President JD Vance defended the agents' actions, framing the detention as a safety measure for the child while his father was being arrested. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) echoed this, stating that ICE didn't target the child directly.
A Statewide Crackdown and Civil Unrest
This arrest is part of a massive operation that has seen roughly 3,000 people arrested in Minnesota recently. The crackdown has triggered intense protests. On Thursday, US Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the arrest of several activists, including Nekima Levy Armstrong, for their roles in organizing demonstrations against local ICE leadership.
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