ON A DAY when the weather in Minnesota will drop to brutally, dangerously cold, it is not the predicted minus 35-degree wind chill that is chilling my heart. Rather, it is the action of ICE agents in my state.
On Tuesday, agents reportedly took a 5-year-old and his father into custody in the family’s driveway as they were returning home from preschool. They were then flown to Texas, likely detained in a family detention center, according to the family’s attorney.
This is unfathomable to me, that agents of the federal government, who claim to be in Minnesota to find and detain violent criminals—“the worst of the worst”—are now taking our children. Little Liam Conejo Ramos is not the first. And I expect he will not be the last child to be apprehended and held by ICE if this is allowed to continue.
In a press conference on Wednesday, the superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public School shared that ICE has taken three other students in their district. That includes two 17-year-olds and a 10-year-old. They, too, are gone, just like sweet little Liam in the blue bunny ear stocking cap.
This ought to outrage everyone regardless of political affiliation. For kids to be traumatized, taken, imprisoned is wrong on so many levels. It’s bad enough when adults are experiencing this.
Five-year-old Liam could be your child, your grandchild, your neighbor’s child, your child’s classmate, your… Don’t think this could not happen in your state, your community. This is beyond anything that should happen in the United States of America.
FYI: I refer you to two stories about Liam. Click here to read coverage by Minnesota Public Radio. And click here to read a story in Sahan Journal. I recommend both media outlets as great sources of information about what is happening in Minnesota.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Thank you for sharing this, Audrey. It’s such an outrage and heartbreak…so hard to find the words to describe the callous disregard for human life, for community, for family, for love, and for ACTUAL national security by these evil pretend-soldiers who break laws with impunity. This too shall end, but not a moment too soon when it does. May God bless each one of the abducted, murdered, and all who are terrified.
Welcome to the comments section. Thank you for your kind and loving words, including asking God to bless each person who has been abducted, killed and terrorized.
There were probably some “worst of the worst” folks out there that deserved to be deported. But not that many and none just 5 years old. But then it should be clear to all that the “worst of the worst” thing has morphed into just terrorizing people (particularly brown people with accents). We needed immigration law reform so decent people who are making a contribution could stay here legally. Instead, we got a spineless Congress that ditched a bipartisan reform bill because Orange Man needed to keep immigration as a campaign slogan.
I fully agree with everything you state in your comment. Thank you for letting your voice rise.
This is beyond terrifying and sickening and maddening!!
The vice president is supposed to visit our state today. I would hope he’d see this child arrested and detained, and comment on how wrong it is. But knowing his past speeches, party lies will be spread instead…
I’m so frustrated that it seems no matter how much we write to our reps, protest, vote, and tell the stories, things aren’t better yet. I’m feeling overwhelmed about not being able to protect the most vulnerable people in our state.
I hear you, Rose. Keep raising your voice, doing what you can to uplift, encourage and help. 🙂
It’s so very sad….
Yes. 😦
It is relentless and so will the payback be. Heart-breaking and enraging..
Michael, thank you for caring, for commenting, for continuing to use your voice, your words. We must not remain silent.
thank you for sharing this, and I will be sharing this here as well. I am beyond sad and angry about this
You’re welcome, Beth, and thank you for sharing from Michigan. I knew this would especially tug at your heart given you taught precious preschoolers.