Summary (tl;dr)

A 5-year-old preschool student, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father were detained by ICE agents in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, an incident that has sparked significant outrage from school officials and the community, amidst reports of other students also being apprehended.

Essential Background

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have reportedly increased their presence and operations in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, leading to a palpable sense of fear and insecurity within the community. Before the recent detentions, ICE agents were observed operating near schools, following buses, and entering school parking lots, which had already caused distress among residents. This aligns with a broader trend under the current administration to increasingly target undocumented immigrants, including those without prior criminal records.

The Full Story

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old preschool student, was detained by federal ICE agents along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, in their driveway in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, as they were returning home from school. Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik criticized the agents' methods, alleging that Liam was "essentially used as bait" to attempt to gain entry to the family's home. Despite pleas from another adult at the scene to care for the child, agents refused. Liam and his father have since been transported to a detention facility in Texas, even though the family reportedly has an active asylum case and no deportation orders. This incident is part of a recent surge in ICE activity in the area, which has seen four students from the Columbia Heights school district, including a 17-year-old and a 10-year-old, detained within the last two weeks.

Why It Matters

The detention of a 5-year-old child by ICE agents has ignited widespread public concern and criticism regarding the tactics employed by immigration enforcement. School officials and community members have voiced profound distress over the emotional trauma inflicted on children and families, and the perceived erosion of trust and safety within educational environments. The legality and ethical implications of detaining young children, particularly those involved in asylum proceedings, are being rigorously questioned by legal experts and the public. These events have also led to a notable increase in student absenteeism across several Twin Cities school districts, reflecting heightened fear among immigrant families. This situation underscores the ongoing national debate concerning immigration policies and their human impact on vulnerable populations.

Geographic Location

• Columbia Heights, Anoka County, Minnesota, United States (detention of Liam Ramos and other students, press conferences by school officials)
• Texas, United States (detention facility where Liam Ramos and his father are likely being held)