ICE Detention of Five-Year-Old Minnesota Boy: What California Families Need to Know About Immigration Enforcement and Family Protection
If you’re a California resident concerned about how federal immigration enforcement affects families—especially those with children—the recent detention of a five-year-old Minnesota boy by ICE raises urgent questions about family safety, legal rights, and protecting vulnerable loved ones during enforcement actions.
What Happened in Minnesota?
On Tuesday, January 21, 2026, five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, as they arrived home from school.According to school officials, agents used the child to knock on the family’s front door “in order to see if anyone else was home – essentially using a five-year-old as bait.”
The father’s car was still running when agents apprehended both father and son. Despite pleas from another adult in the home to care for Liam, agents denied the request and detained the child.Both were transported to a Texas detention center the same day.
Source: The Guardian – ICE detains five-year-old Minnesota boy
How Common Are Child Detentions During Immigration Enforcement?
This case is one of four involving children in the Columbia Heights school district detained during a two-week enforcement surge:
School superintendent Zena Stenvik reported that “ICE agents have been roaming our neighborhoods, circling our schools, following our buses, coming into our parking lots and taking our kids.”
What Are the Legal Rights of Families During ICE Enforcement?
According to Marc Prokosch, the attorney representing Liam’s family, the family had an active asylum case and entered the U.S. at an official port of entry—meaning they followed proper legal procedures.There was no deportation order against them.
The Department of Homeland Security claimed the operation targeted Liam’s father and that the child was not the target, alleging the father “fled on foot – abandoning his child.”However, school officials’ account contradicts this narrative, stating the father’s car was still running and both were quickly apprehended together.
What Can California Families Do to Protect Children During Immigration Uncertainty?
For California families navigating immigration status concerns or managing assets for families with mixed immigration status, advance planning is critical:
The Emotional and Community Impact
Superintendent Stenvik described the devastating effect: “Our children are traumatized. The sense of safety in our community and around our schools is shaken. I can speak on behalf of all school staff when I say our hearts are shattered.”
Liam’s teacher shared: “Liam is a bright young student. He is so kind and loving, and his classmates miss him. He comes into class every day and just brightens the room. All I want is for him to be back here and safe.”
The attorney representing the family noted: “Once his classmates learn the government took him away … I’m not qualified to talk about how much damage that is going to cause. It’s not just the family, it’s the entire community and all of those kids who are now going to be facing secondary trauma.”
Why California Families Need Proactive Legal Planning
Whether you’re facing immigration enforcement concerns now or want to protect your family from future uncertainty, having comprehensive legal protections in place is essential. California families need attorneys who understand both the emotional weight of family protection and the technical requirements of estate planning, guardianship designation, and asset protection.
California Probate and Trust, PC specializes in helping California residents create transparent, family-centered legal plans that protect what matters most—your children, your assets, and your peace of mind.
Protect Your Family Today
Don’t wait until a crisis to put protections in place. If you’re a California resident concerned about protecting your children and assets during times of legal uncertainty, California Probate and Trust, PC offers free consultations to help you understand your options.
Our experienced Sacramento-based attorneys provide compassionate guidance through:
Schedule your free consultation today: Call (866) 674-1130 or visit cpt.law
Legal Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented is based on publicly reported news events and general legal principles. Every family’s situation is unique, and immigration law is complex and subject to change. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship. For specific legal advice regarding your family’s circumstances, immigration status, estate planning needs, or guardianship matters, please consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. California Probate and Trust, PC focuses on estate planning, probate, and trust administration for California residents and does not provide immigration law services. If you need immigration legal assistance, please seek counsel from an attorney specializing in immigration law.