This week, the detention of five-year-old Liam Ramos, who was wearing a Spider-Man backpack, in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, has become emblematic of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies. Critics, including local politicians, have condemned the incident as evidence of a mass deportation campaign that disproportionately targets children and their families, rather than focusing solely on criminal activity.
According to a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, the boy was taken into custody after his father fled during an attempted arrest. The superintendent of the local school district reported that an adult present at the home during the incident had requested to care for Liam to prevent his detention, but the plea was turned down.
Liam’s situation is not an isolated case but rather part of a broader strategy to detain more unauthorized immigrant families, a policy shift that has escalated since the Trump administration began its aggressive enforcement actions. According to data analyzed by The Guardian, nearly 3,800 minors were booked into immigrant family detention from January to October 2025, which included very young children. Over 2,600 of these minors were apprehended inside the United States, not just at the border.
Historically, family detention primarily involved parents and children who crossed the border together. The Flores Settlement of 1997 outlined essential legal protections for minors in detention, stating that unaccompanied children cannot be held in ICE custody. Those accompanied by a parent may be detained but are to be released if swift deportation is not possible.
However, the current administration is increasingly apprehending families living in the U.S., regardless of their immigration status. Many individuals being detained have pending asylum claims and work authorizations, leading to confusion and distress. The attorney Becky Wolozin pointed out that even lawful residents are now vulnerable to arbitrary arrests under the current climate.
Conditions in detention, according to advocates for immigrant rights, have been scrutinized with reports of children experiencing distressing environments, lack of medical care, and inhumane treatment. Sergio Perez, the executive director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, emphasized the serious failures in how these minors are treated, which has resulted in longer detainment periods and deteriorating conditions.
Liam’s family, originally from Ecuador, had followed the proper channels by presenting themselves at the border and claiming asylum based on persecution fears. Despite this, ICE proceeded with their arrest, highlighting a concerning pattern where even those with legitimate claims for refuge face detention rather than protection.
The current approach to immigrant families revives historic policies that have undergone significant transformations over past administrations. The Bush administration initially established family detention centers, while Obama scaled back the practice before increasing it amid a surge in Central American families seeking asylum. The Trump administration attempted to dismantle the Flores Settlement provisions and implemented controversial family separation policies.
While the Biden administration put a stop to family detention in 2021, pressures from congressional Republicans to restate the detention of immigrant families remain prevalent. The recent legislative measures have significantly increased the budget for ICE operations, raising fears of a renewed clampdown on immigrant families amid claims of maintaining national security.
Overall, advocates argue these harsh immigration enforcement policies disproportionately harm children and families simply seeking safety and better lives. According to Wolozin, there is no justification for targeting these vulnerable individuals, emphasizing that most families are not a danger and are genuinely trying to comply with immigration laws. This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policy and the human costs associated with enforcement tactics.