Five-Year-Old Minnesota Boy Detained by ICE in Driveway Arrest
In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, a five-year-old boy was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on Tuesday. Liam Ramos, a preschooler who had recently celebrated his fifth birthday, was taken into custody alongside his father as they arrived home from school, according to statements from local school officials.
Arrest Details and Community Outcry
The superintendent of the Columbia Heights school district, Zena Stenvik, reported that the arrest occurred in the family's driveway. She described how an ICE agent used Liam to knock on the front door of his home, effectively employing the young child as bait to check for other occupants. Stenvik condemned the action, stating, "Why detain a five-year-old? You cannot tell me that this child is going to be classified as a violent criminal."
Upon learning of the detention, Stenvik rushed to the scene, finding the father's car still running and the pair already apprehended. Another adult present at the home pleaded to care for Liam to spare him from detention, but this request was denied. Liam's older brother returned home shortly after to discover his family members missing, adding to the distress.
Broader Pattern of ICE Enforcement
This arrest is part of a troubling pattern in the region, with Liam being one of four children from the school district detained by ICE over the past two weeks. Other cases include a 17-year-old student taken without parents present, a 17-year-old girl and her mother detained after agents pushed into their apartment, and a 10-year-old girl arrested on her way to elementary school with her mother. All these incidents have occurred under the Trump administration's recent enforcement surge, leaving families and educators deeply concerned.
Stenvik highlighted the invasive tactics used by ICE, noting that agents have been "roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our kids." The situation escalated further when an ICE vehicle attempted to enter the high school property on Wednesday, only to be turned away by administrators.
Impact on Students and Families
The arrests have inflicted significant trauma on the community. Stenvik emphasized that children, parents, and school staff are all affected, with some families now choosing to stay home out of fear. "Our children are traumatized. The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken," she said, adding that school officials are working to support families navigating the legal system while prioritizing child safety.
Liam's teacher expressed shock and sadness, describing him as a "bright young student" who "brightens the room" and is missed by classmates. The family has an active asylum case and no deportation order, yet they remain detained together in a Texas facility. As of Wednesday evening, spokespeople for the Department of Homeland Security and ICE had not responded to inquiries about the arrest.
This incident underscores the human cost of immigration enforcement policies, particularly when they involve young children, and raises urgent questions about the methods and ethics of such actions in communities across the United States.
