Sad update given on five-year-old boy who was detained by ICE

An gut-wrenching update has been provided on the case of preschooler Liam Ramos, who was detained by a group of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers last week.

The five-year-old had been travelling home from school on Tuesday (20 Jan), and was making his way up his driveway when a group of ICE agents approached, attempting to apprehend his father.

Zena Stenvik - superintendent of Liam's school district - later told press that the father and son had been subsequently transported to South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, having been accused of living in the States illegally.

Arriving at the site, she was also informed that the officer responsible for Liam's arrest had approached the child first, telling him to lead the team to his front door and ask to be let in.

ICE agents claimed Liam had been 'abandoned' by his father (Courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools)

Stenvik accused the team of 'essentially using a five-year-old as bait', 'in order to see if anyone else was home'.

In light of the horrified response from the rest of the world, the US' Department of Homeland Security later claimed in a statement that ICE 'did not target a child', insisting Liam had been 'abandoned' by his father - an alleged 'illegal alien from Ecuador'.

Marc Prokosch, the Ramos family's attorney hit back at DHS' accusations, claiming that Liam and his father have an active asylum case, as well as shared paperwork confirming that they entered America through a port of entry - the only official way to enter

"The family did everything they were supposed to in accordance with how the rules have been set out," he continued. "They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals.".

An update has since been provided by Stenvik, who revealed that, since being detailed, Liam had been taken ill.

The DHS has since issued a statement on the matter (X)

Speaking to the Huffington Post, the superintendent claimed she'd spoken to the boy's mother, Erika Ramos, who'd understandably been left 'incredibly distraught' to her of her son's ailing health.

"Unfortunately, Liam’s health is not doing great right now," Stenvik told the publication. "He’s been ill. I’ve been told he has a fever.

"So I’m very, very concerned about his well-being in that facility."

Erika herself also provided an update earlier this week, telling Minnesota Public Radio that the whole 'situation' was 'deeply concerning'.

"Liam is getting sick because the food they receive is not of good quality," she added. "He has stomach pain, he’s vomiting, he has a fever and he no longer wants to eat."

The family's lawyer claims they entered the country legally (Courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools)

The toddler is understood to be the fourth child from the same suburban c district to be apprehended by law enforcement agents - working under the authority of Donald Trump - in the last month.

A 10-year-old fourth grade student and her mother, were previously arrested, alongside two 17-year-olds.

Stenvik told press ICE had been 'roaming our neighbourhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our kids'.

She added of Liam's apprehension: "I can speak on behalf of all school staff when I say our hearts are shattered.

"After our fourth student was taken yesterday, I just thought someone has to hear the story. They’re taking children."