Outrage Mounts Over Detention of Five-Year-Old in US Immigration Sweep
The recent detention of a five-year-old boy has sparked widespread outrage and protests across Minneapolis. Thousands gathered to voice their dissent against the Trump administration’s immigration policies. On a frigid Friday, many businesses closed their doors in solidarity with the anti-ICE movement, protesting ongoing federal immigration operations in Minnesota.
Protests Against Immigration Policies
The protest was incited by the detention of Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschooler apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they sought to arrest his father, Adrian Conejo Arias. The boy, along with his father, who are both asylum seekers from Ecuador, was taken from their home last Tuesday. Eyewitness accounts describe Ramos as “terrified” during the incident.
- Date of Incident: Last Tuesday
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Temperature During Protests: -23°C (-9°F)
Public Outrage and Reaction
The detention has rekindled anger among community members. Protesters carried signs expressing their outrage, with one individual representing the sentiments of many when saying, “If we don’t fight, we don’t win.” Local schools, especially Columbia Heights Public Schools, voiced concern as Ramos was a student there.
Vice President JD Vance, during a visit to Minneapolis, defended the actions of ICE, suggesting the agents were acting in the child’s best interest after his father attempted to flee. However, UN human rights chief Volker Turk criticized the U.S. treatment of migrants and called for an end to such practices.
Reactions from Officials and Activists
Border Patrol officials have claimed expertise in handling children’s situations, asserting that they made every effort to reunite Ramos with his family. ICE commander Marcos Charles mentioned that Ramos’s family had allegedly refused entry to officers at the time of the arrest.
In Minneapolis, protests extended beyond the street rallies, with demonstrators targeting the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport due to its role in deportation efforts. During these demonstrations, 100 clergy members were arrested for trespassing while advocating for the rights and dignity of all people.
Background Context and Legal Proceedings
Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed her outrage, referring to Ramos as “just a baby.” This incident is one among several concerning the treatment of children caught in immigration enforcement actions in the area. Notably, Minnesota is pursuing a temporary restraining order against the ICE operations in the state, with a court hearing scheduled to address this matter.
The escalation of tensions in Minneapolis was further highlighted by a separate incident wherein federal agents shot and killed a local citizen in January. Calls for justice in both cases underscore the growing unrest regarding immigration policies and their human impact.
As protests continue, community leaders and citizens in Minnesota remain adamant about advocating for humane treatment for migrants and a reevaluation of current immigration enforcement practices.
