A small stuffed turtle, a water bottle, and a blanket sit in 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos’ cubby at Valley View Elementary. His gray winter hat hangs nearby, and a worksheet for tracing the letter W awaits him at his desk. But now, it’s uncertain when or if Liam will return for these familiar comforts.
On a recent Tuesday, Liam and his father were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as they arrived home from school, according to family lawyer Marc Prokosch. This incident is part of a troubling trend in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, where schools have seen multiple ICE arrests in just a few weeks. More than half of the students in this small district are Latino.
During a recent news conference, Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik described the dramatic scene. Liam was taken from his driveway while another adult in the home pleaded with agents to let him care for the boy. Instead, agents led Liam to the door and instructed him to knock, essentially using a child as bait.
“This family is following U.S. legal protocols and has an active asylum case,” Stenvik stated passionately. “Why detain a 5-year-old? You can’t call him a violent criminal.” The Department of Homeland Security has yet to respond to inquiries about its policies regarding children in detention.
Liam’s teacher, Ella Sullivan, shared her heartache. “He’s a bright young student, kind and loving. His absence is felt in the classroom,” she noted.
Liam wasn’t the only student affected that day. A 17-year-old high school student was taken from a car, and in previous weeks, a 10-year-old girl and her mother were also detained on their way to school. Such incidents have left families shaken, fostering an atmosphere of fear in the community.
Attendance rates have dropped. On one day, a third of the students were missing. Schools are now keeping children indoors during recess when ICE is nearby, and administrators report that some families are considering online education options to avoid these stressful encounters.
“Children should not be subjected to agents with weapons at their bus stops,” Stenvik insisted. “We need a diplomatic solution to this crisis.”
Community support has been heartening. The school received over $10,000 in food donations, demonstrating solidarity in difficult times. School board chair Mary Granlund emphasized the importance of prioritizing student safety and education.
Meanwhile, Prokosch, the family’s lawyer, is contemplating filing a habeas corpus petition to secure Liam’s release. His advocacy highlights that this family has adhered to all legal protocols in their immigration process.
This situation is raising broader questions about ICE protocols in schools and neighborhoods. A recent survey found that over 60% of educators are concerned about the safety of undocumented students in schools. This further illustrates the growing urgency surrounding the debate over immigration policies and their impact on families.
As school leaders call for justice and reform, the community watches closely. They seek not just answers about Liam’s welfare but also a brighter future for all children in their district.
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