Outrage Over ICE Detainment of 5-Year-Old Liam Ramos: Kamala Harris Speaks Out

In a recent and alarming incident, former Vice President Kamala Harris has joined a growing chorus of voices expressing outrage over the detainment of 5-year-old Liam Ramos in Minneapolis. This incident highlights the escalating immigration operations under the Trump administration, further intensifying discussions around child welfare and immigration policies in the United States.

“Liam Ramos is just a baby. He should be at home with his family, not used as bait by ICE and held in a Texas detention center,” Harris tweeted, demonstrating her deep concern for the child’s well-being. As a former presidential nominee defeated by President Donald Trump in the 2024 elections, Harris has been a fierce critic of the administration’s immigration policies since Trump took office for a second term.

Expressing her anger, Harris added, “I am outraged, and you should be too.” Her statement resonates with many who view the government’s actions as not only inhumane but also a profound betrayal of foundational American values regarding the treatment of children.

While promoting her memoir, “107 Days,” which chronicles her historic campaign for the presidency—marking her as the first Black and South Asian woman to achieve such a milestone—Harris has remained vocal about her criticisms of the Trump administration. This latest incident underscores her commitment to advocacy for immigrant rights.

As reported by theGrio, Liam Ramos is just one of at least four children reportedly targeted by ICE in recent weeks within the same school district. The child was detained alongside his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, when ICE agents appeared at their home shortly after the father-son duo returned from preschool. This abrupt encounter raises significant concerns about the psychological impact of such actions on young children.

The Columbia Heights Public Schools District has publicly condemned ICE agents for allegedly using young Liam as “bait.” Reports indicate that the agents instructed him to knock on his own front door to check for the presence of others in the home. Another adult present during the incident reportedly pleaded with the agents to allow Liam to stay, but those requests were met with refusal.

Currently, both Liam and his father reside in a detention facility in San Antonio, Texas. A lawyer representing the family clarified that while they are not U.S. citizens, they have been diligently following legal processes for asylum, highlighting a troubling disconnect between policy and practice for those seeking refuge.

Widespread outrage erupted online following the release of images capturing Liam in a blue fish hat during the incident. Critics argue that the Trump administration’s actions are exceptionally cruel, especially as officials continue to claim that their focus lies only on apprehending violent criminals.

The situation has exacerbated tensions within Minnesota, with protests rising against the ongoing actions of ICE. On the same day as Liam’s detainment, three activists were arrested during a peaceful demonstration at a church, which has been critical of ICE’s practices. Rod Adams, a Minnesota resident and executive director of the New Justice Project, said: “What we’re witnessing is unprecedented…we have a literal federal occupation of an American city.” Adams’s comments reflect widespread unease over the community’s safety amid escalating federal intervention.

Adams called on community members, particularly Black residents, to mobilize and confront these injustices. He emphasized the importance of recognizing that such tactics could spread to other cities across the nation. “If it’s not in your city right now, it’s coming to a city near you,” he cautioned.

Urging American voters to respond at the ballot box during the upcoming midterm elections, Adams concluded, “What side you stand on in this moment will decide who we are as a people, where we move as a country, and what we’re able to accomplish together.” This call to action highlights the critical intersection of civic engagement and social justice in addressing the challenges faced by immigrant communities.