Minnesota officials and the Trump administration are at odds over the circumstances surrounding the detention of a five-year-old boy in a Minneapolis suburb following the death of Renee Good. School district officials, the family’s attorney, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey criticized U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for apprehending Liam Conejo Ramos after he returned home from preschool.
Contrary to the officials’ claims, federal authorities, including U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, stated that the boy was not a target but was inadvertently caught up in his father’s arrest, described as an “illegal alien.” The conflicting perspectives on the arrest of Liam and his father highlight the divergent narratives surrounding the incident.
The superintendent of Columbia Heights Public Schools revealed that ICE agents used Liam as “bait” during the arrest, refusing pleas from another adult present to care for the child. The agents led Liam to the door, instructing him to knock and check for other occupants in the home. School officials detailed the chaotic scene at the Columbia Heights residence, where emotions ran high during the arrest.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin clarified that ICE did not target the child but remained with him for safety reasons after his father fled and abandoned him. Although details on Liam’s whereabouts post-arrest were not disclosed, the family’s lawyer, Marc Prokosch, confirmed that both Liam and his father were detained at an immigration processing center in Dilley, Texas.
During a visit to Minneapolis, Vance supported the DHS’s account, emphasizing that ICE had no choice but to ensure the child’s safety given the circumstances. He clarified that the boy was not arrested, and the focus was on apprehending his father, who attempted to evade authorities.
The family’s lawyer disputed the father’s categorization as an “illegal alien,” asserting that both father and son lawfully entered the U.S. in 2024 and sought asylum. He refuted claims of illegal status, emphasizing their legal entry and pursuit of a legitimate pathway within the country. The lawyer hinted at potential legal strategies for the defense but did not disclose specific details regarding their asylum application or the mother’s citizenship status.