Federal Agents Detain 5-Year-Old Boy 'Bait' for Father's Arrest, Community Left Shaken
A harrowing incident of child abuse has unfolded in the US, where federal agents detained a five-year-old boy who was allegedly used as "bait" to ensure his father, an undocumented immigrant, would turn himself over. The young victim, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken from his home in Minnesota by immigration officials along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, sparking widespread outrage and concerns about the welfare of migrant children.
According to school officials, federal agents instructed Liam to knock on the door to his own home, effectively using a child as bait to apprehend his father. The boy's mother, who was inside the home at the time, was reportedly kept in the dark about her son's whereabouts.
The incident has raised serious questions about the tactics employed by immigration officials and their treatment of migrant children. The US Department of Homeland Security claims that immigration officers did not target a child but rather arrested an undocumented immigrant who had fled on foot after abandoning his child.
However, school officials dispute this account, stating that agents refused to leave Liam with another adult at the home or an official from the school district. Another neighbor attempted to offer to take care of the boy but was ignored by the agents.
The incident is part of a larger trend of federal immigration sweeps in Minnesota, which have resulted in over 3,000 arrests in the past six weeks. Local authorities and advocates are calling for greater transparency and accountability from government agencies.
Liam's family, who arrived in the US in 2024, has an active asylum case and had not been ordered to leave the country. The boy is reportedly being held with his father at an immigration detention facility in Texas.
Critics of the US immigration system have pointed out that prolonged detention of migrant children can lead to severe health problems, including malnutrition and illness. Organizations such as Children's Rights have expressed concern over the welfare of immigrant children in federal custody.
The incident has sparked outrage among community leaders and parents, who are now calling for greater protections for migrant children. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Minneapolis leaders on Thursday, took issue with criticism of the government's actions but did not address the specifics of the case.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, one thing is clear: the use of migrant children as pawns in deportation efforts has no place in a civilized society. The well-being and safety of children like Liam Conejo Ramos must be our top priority.
A harrowing incident of child abuse has unfolded in the US, where federal agents detained a five-year-old boy who was allegedly used as "bait" to ensure his father, an undocumented immigrant, would turn himself over. The young victim, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken from his home in Minnesota by immigration officials along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, sparking widespread outrage and concerns about the welfare of migrant children.
According to school officials, federal agents instructed Liam to knock on the door to his own home, effectively using a child as bait to apprehend his father. The boy's mother, who was inside the home at the time, was reportedly kept in the dark about her son's whereabouts.
The incident has raised serious questions about the tactics employed by immigration officials and their treatment of migrant children. The US Department of Homeland Security claims that immigration officers did not target a child but rather arrested an undocumented immigrant who had fled on foot after abandoning his child.
However, school officials dispute this account, stating that agents refused to leave Liam with another adult at the home or an official from the school district. Another neighbor attempted to offer to take care of the boy but was ignored by the agents.
The incident is part of a larger trend of federal immigration sweeps in Minnesota, which have resulted in over 3,000 arrests in the past six weeks. Local authorities and advocates are calling for greater transparency and accountability from government agencies.
Liam's family, who arrived in the US in 2024, has an active asylum case and had not been ordered to leave the country. The boy is reportedly being held with his father at an immigration detention facility in Texas.
Critics of the US immigration system have pointed out that prolonged detention of migrant children can lead to severe health problems, including malnutrition and illness. Organizations such as Children's Rights have expressed concern over the welfare of immigrant children in federal custody.
The incident has sparked outrage among community leaders and parents, who are now calling for greater protections for migrant children. Vice President JD Vance, who met with Minneapolis leaders on Thursday, took issue with criticism of the government's actions but did not address the specifics of the case.
As the debate over immigration policy continues, one thing is clear: the use of migrant children as pawns in deportation efforts has no place in a civilized society. The well-being and safety of children like Liam Conejo Ramos must be our top priority.
This whole situation is absolutely devastating 
. I mean, can you even imagine being a 5-year-old boy and being told to knock on your own door so your dad can get arrested? It's just horrific 
. The fact that the mom was kept in the dark about her son's whereabouts is just another level of cruelty 
.
. It's not about enforcing immigration laws; it's about putting kids in harm's way and exploiting them for the sake of deportation.
. We need to be focusing on protecting migrant children, not using them as pawns in a game of deportation politics. It's time for some real accountability and transparency here 
.
I guess that just goes to show how tone-deaf our politicians can be sometimes 
. But we need to keep pushing back and demanding better for our migrant children 
.
we gotta protect our children, especially those who dont deserve to be treated like this. the fact that the mom wasnt even told her son was taken from her home is just heartbreaking... i'm so glad there are orgs like Children's Rights fighting for these kids, but it's time for govt to take responsibility too 
we cant keep relying on them to do the right thing, we gotta demand transparency and accountability. 3000+ arrests in 6 weeks? this is outrageous! 
THE FACT THAT FEDERAL AGENTS COULD JUST TAKE THE BOY FROM HIS HOME WITHOUT TELLING HIS MOM, WHO WAS INSIDE AT THE TIME, IS ABSOLUTE CHAOS!!! 
AND NOW THIS LITTLE GUY IS BEING HELD IN AN IMMIGRATION DETENTION FACILITY WITH HIS FATHER?!?!?! WHAT KIND OF SYSTEM ARE WE RUNNING HERE?!?! 
and what's even more disturbing is that it's part of a larger trend of federal immigration sweeps in minnesota, which has resulted in over 3000 arrests in the past six weeks 
it's just not right that they're being held at an immigration detention facility in texas, where prolly no one is looking out for their well-being 
what's going on with our immigration system?! 