Outrage in Minneapolis after ICE detains five-year-old during immigration sweep

Minneapolis erupted in outrage this week after federal immigration authorities detained a five-year-old boy alongside his father during a city-wide immigration sweep. The arrest, part of a broader enforcement action, has drawn national attention and renewed debates about federal immigration tactics in sanctuary cities.

JD Vance reacts

Vice President JD Vance, speaking on Thursday, admitted he was initially shocked by news of the child’s detention. “I think to myself, ‘Oh my God, this is terrible. How did we arrest a five-year-old?’” Vance said.

The Ohio politician, a father himself, later clarified that the boy was detained after his father attempted to flee from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. “Well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?” Vance added, defending the agency’s actions.

Vance also blamed local leadership for the heightened tensions in Minnesota, which has seen waves of protests following the fatal shooting of US citizen Renee Good by federal agents on January 7.

Federal agents and local unrest

Thousands of federal agents have descended on the state, which is led by Democratic officials, as part of a nationwide effort to deport undocumented immigrants. The operation has not been without controversy: protesters have clashed with officers, prompting ICE to use pepper spray, tear gas, and other crowd-control measures.

During his remarks, Vance urged citizens to exercise their right to protest peacefully. “Yes, protest. Protest me. Protest our immigration policy, but do it peacefully. If you assault a law enforcement officer, the Trump administration and the Department of Justice is going to prosecute you,” he warned, flanked by ICE officers and vehicles.

The protests have included activists like lawyer Nekima Levy Armstrong, Chauntyll Louisa Allen, and William Kelly, who were arrested for allegedly disrupting a church service in St. Paul, accusing a pastor of collaborating with ICE. Videos from the service show demonstrators chanting “ICE out!” in protest.

The plight of Liam Conejo Ramos

The five-year-old boy, identified as Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father were among four children detained this month in the Minneapolis school district, according to local reports. They are currently held in San Antonio, Texas, under the custody of Homeland Security authorities.

Marc Prokosch, the family’s lawyer, emphasised that the family has been pursuing legal asylum in the US and has complied with the application process. “They are not US citizens but have followed the legal channels for asylum,” Prokosch told The Washington Post.

Minneapolis’ sanctuary city status, which prevents local police from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement, has been cited by Vance as complicating ICE operations. “The lack of cooperation between state and local officials makes it harder for us to do our job and turns up the temperature,” he said.

Local leaders push back

Mayor Jacob Frey acknowledged Vance’s call for peaceful protests but described the federal presence in Minneapolis as an “occupation.” He condemned the aggressive tactics used by agents, saying they were “terrorising people” and escalating tensions in the city.

Minnesota authorities have also filed for a temporary restraining order to pause the ICE operation, with a federal judge scheduled to hear the case on Monday.

Meanwhile, the officer who killed Renee Good has not been suspended or charged, although Trump administration officials have defended the action as self-defence. The incident, combined with the ongoing immigration sweeps, has made Minneapolis a flashpoint in national debates over federal authority, immigration policy, and the treatment of children caught in enforcement actions.

National debate intensifies

Public reaction has been swift, with social media users condemning the detention of a five-year-old and questioning the use of federal resources in heavily Democratic areas. Others have defended ICE, arguing that law enforcement must follow through when parents flee officers, even if children are involved.

“This is about accountability, not cruelty,” one Vance supporter tweeted. Meanwhile, opponents called the operation “state-sanctioned terror” and demanded immediate release of the child.

As Minneapolis continues to grapple with protests, federal enforcement, and political scrutiny, the case of Liam Conejo Ramos highlights the fraught intersection of immigration policy, children’s welfare, and the limits of federal authority in sanctuary cities.

{Source: IOL}

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