Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of Columbia Heights Public Schools
Topics: US News, News, World News, Donald Trump, Politics
Madison Burgess
Topics: US News, News, World News, Donald Trump, Politics
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly detained a five-year-old Minnesota boy on Tuesday (20 January) as he returned home from school.
According to The Guardian, preschooler Liam Ramos and his father were taken into custody while in their driveway and transported to at Texas detention centre, as per the superintendent of Liam's school district Zena Stenvik.
Over the last few weeks, three other children were allegedly also detained from the same school district in Columbia Heights, which is a Minneapolis suburb, it was said in a press conference on Wednesday (21 January).
According to Stenvik, Liam and his dad had just arrived home when they were detained, adding that she drove to the family's home when she learned what had happened.
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When she arrived, the superintendent said that Liam's father's car was still running and the pair had already been apprehended.
An agent had reportedly taken Liam, who only recently turned five, out of the car, led the little boy to his front door and directed him to knock on the door asking to be let in, 'in order to see if anyone else was home - essentially using a five-year-old as bait,' Stenvik claimed in a statement.
She also alleged that there was another adult living in the home who was outside during the encounter and had pleaded to take care of Liam so he could avoid detention, but this request was denied.
Liam also reportedly has an older brother in middle school, who returned home 20 minutes after the incident unfolded to find his dad and brother missing.
The attorney representing the family Marc Prokosch, outlined that they have an active asylum case and shared paperwork revealing that the father and son had arrived to the US at a port of entry - an official crossing point.
He said: “The family did everything they were supposed to in accordance with how the rules have been set out. They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals."
The attorney added that there was no order of deportation against Liam and his dad and he believes they have remained together in detention.
As for the other children, Stenvik has accused ICE agents of 'roaming our neighbourhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our kids'.
On January 6, a 10-year-old fourth grade student was reportedly on her way to school with her mother when they were detained by ICE, the superintendent said.
Then, just over a week later on January 14, Stenvik reported that a 17-year-old high schooler was taken along with her mother.
And a 17-year-old Columbia Heights student was also allegedly taken on the same day as five-year-old Liam.
Allegedly, they were taken in without parents present by 'armed and masked agents'.
Stenvik said: "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."
Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, has spoken out on the matter and denied that ICE has 'target[ted] a child'.
In a statement released on Wednesday (21 January) she said it was a 'targeted operation' to arrest Liam’s father, who she branded an 'illegal alien'.
She argued that 'ICE did NOT target a child' and alleged the father 'fled on foot – abandoning his child'.
McLaughllin said: “For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended [his father].
“Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates."