Liam Ramos, a five-year-old boy killed by a stray bullet in Minneapolis has outrage across the devastated community. This comes on the heels of his detention by federal immigration enforcement agents. On Tuesday, officials apprehended the 23-year-old Liam. They arrested his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an illegal alien from Ecuador. This event has raised deeply concerning questions about what happened to the young child. It has forced scrutiny on the events leading up to his father’s immigration arrest.
Adrian Conejo Arias, who had been released into the U.S. under the Biden administration. On January 20, federal agents carried out a targeted operation on behalf of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They arrested him immediately on the family’s private driveway. After his arrest, Liam and his father were then shipped to an immigrant detention center in Texas.
No one, including Liam’s mother, Erica Ramos, knew where her son was for more than 24 hours. This absence of information led to increasing frustration from the family and community. Liam is one of four children from the local school district currently being held in ICE detention. This all takes place against the backdrop of a major uptick in immigration enforcement across the area.
Sarai Orquiz went to work after learning about this still shocking situation. To raise the money for legal expenses required to argue for Liam’s release, she started a fundraiser named “Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home.” As of Thursday afternoon, the campaign had raised more than $110,000. Almost immediately, community members started donating to help keep the family’s story alive and funded.
“This is an extremely difficult time for her … She is incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and kindness the community has shown,” – Sarai Orquiz
The family Erica Ramos and her three other children would like very much to have Liam home with them, and they are extremely worried about his safety and well-being. Orquiz noted that Erica has been working to link her bank account to receive donations directly as she navigates this challenging time. The fundraiser had been paused for a few hours on Thursday, but fired back up by mid-afternoon to keep collecting contributions.
Marc Prokosch, an attorney for the family, said he hoped that Liam and his father were still together in detention. Internal statements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released on Conejo Arias. They alleged that he had “abandoned” his son on the day of the intended detainment by ICE agents.
“ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED.” – DHSgov
Prokosch firmly disagreed with DHS’s characterization of the situation, defending the family’s actions.
“They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals.” – Marc Prokosch
The case calls attention to larger questions about the practices of immigration enforcement and intrusion into family life. According to colleagues in touch with Erica Ramos, she has been in contact with her son and husband. They’ll tell you that they’re “ok,” but Orquiz added that this deflection is just not reflective of what’s actually going on.
“We all understand that the reality of the situation is far from that. They were kidnapped and transported across the country without the ability to contact their family or an attorney.” – Sarai Orquiz
As community members continue to rally support for Liam and his family, their story underscores ongoing debates about immigration policy and its human impact. The outcome is still developing. Supporters are still pushing to make sure that Liam gets released as soon as possible.