Minneapolis – Two more children attending the same Columbia Heights school as Liam Ramos, the 5-year-old currently detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have been taken into ICE custody, according to reports from February 26, 2024. The escalating situation is sparking outrage and raising serious questions about the impact of immigration enforcement on local communities and children.
Families Torn Apart: ICE Detains More Minneapolis-Area Children
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The recent detentions bring the total number of students from Northwood Hill Elementary School caught in ICE’s widening net to three, intensifying fears among immigrant families in the Twin Cities.
- A 5-year-old boy remains detained in Texas, prompting concerns about his well-being.
- Two additional children from the same Minneapolis school have now been taken into ICE custody.
- Advocates and lawmakers are demanding the immediate release of the children and criticizing ICE’s tactics.
- The principal of Northwood Hill Elementary expressed deep emotional distress over the situation.
What happens to children when their parents are detained? The situation highlights the devastating consequences of immigration enforcement on families, particularly young children who are left vulnerable and traumatized.
Distress and Desperation: The Case of the 5-Year-Old
U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-TX) revealed on February 26,2024,that the 5-year-old boy,whose name has not been publicly released,is exhibiting signs of depression and lethargy while in ICE custody in Texas. Castro issued a statement demanding the boy’s immediate release, citing the detrimental impact of detention on the child’s mental and emotional health. “This is a heartbreaking situation,” Castro said. “Detaining a 5-year-old is simply unacceptable.”
Community Rallies in Support
Protests erupted outside a Texas facility where the 5-year-old is being held on February 26, 2024, with demonstrators calling for his release and an end to family separations.Lawmakers and community leaders joined the protests, emphasizing the need for compassion and humane immigration policies.The protests were largely
