Minneapolis became the epicenter of national outrage as thousands defied subzero temperatures to protest U.S. immigration enforcement tactics, particularly the controversial detention of a five-year-old asylum seeker. The coordinated demonstrations saw businesses shuttering doors in solidarity while faith leaders faced arrests at airport protests.
The catalyst for this upheaval emerged from the traumatic apprehension of Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschooler from Ecuador, and his father Adrian Conejo Arias. Federal agents detained both asylum seekers Tuesday in their driveway, with school officials alleging the child was used as ‘bait’ to lure others from their home. This incident occurred amid broader Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations that have deployed thousands of agents to the Democratic-led city.
Contrasting narratives quickly developed. Vice President JD Vance contended during a Minneapolis visit that agents protected Ramos after his father ‘ran’ from officers, asking rhetorically: ‘Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death?’ Meanwhile, ICE commander Marcos Charles asserted officers attempted family reunification before detaining both ‘pending their immigration proceedings.’
The response has been multifaceted: Columbia Heights Public Schools revealed at least four children from their district faced detention this month. Methodist clergy organized civil disobedience resulting in 100 arrests at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport. UN human rights chief Volker Turk condemned the ‘harmful treatment of migrants and refugees,’ while former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed outrage at detaining ‘just a baby.’
Legal challenges are underway as Minnesota seeks a temporary restraining order against ICE operations, with a federal hearing scheduled for Monday. The situation remains tense following the January 7 homicide of U.S. citizen Renee Good by federal agents during earlier operations, though the involved officer faces neither suspension nor charges.