Vice President J.D. Vance disputed a viral claim that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested a five-year-old boy in Minnesota, characterizing the allegation as a distortion that spread rapidly through social media and was amplified by Democratic lawmakers.
The claim gained traction after Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) shared a local news report citing Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, who suggested ICE had taken custody of a five-year-old student on his way to school.
“ICE just detained a 5-year-old child. Don’t tell us this is about ‘the worst of the worst.’ That’s a lie. Absolutely vile,” Omar wrote in a post that circulated widely online.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, however, the account omits key facts about what actually occurred. DHS officials said ICE agents were conducting a targeted operation on January 20 to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an illegal alien from Ecuador who had been released into the United States under the Biden administration.
“As agents approached the driver, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias fled on foot—abandoning his child,” DHS said in a statement. “For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.”
The child, identified as five-year-old Liam Ramos, was not arrested, DHS emphasized. Agents stayed with him temporarily to ensure his safety after his father ran from the scene. DHS noted that parents in such situations are asked whether they want to be removed with their children or have their children placed with a designated safe individual, consistent with prior administrations’ immigration enforcement practices.
ICE also highlighted that parents facing removal may opt for voluntary departure through the CBP Home app, which includes a free flight and a $2,600 stipend, and preserves the possibility of returning to the U.S. legally in the future.
Speaking at a press conference in Minneapolis on Thursday, Vance directly addressed the narrative that ICE had arrested a child.
“I do a little bit more follow-up research, and what I find is that the five-year-old was not arrested, that his dad was an illegal alien, and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran,” Vance said. “So the story is that ICE detained a five-year-old—well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?”
Vance also rejected the broader implication that immigration enforcement should cease whenever children are involved.
“If the argument is that you can’t arrest people who’ve violated the laws because they have children, then every single parent is going to be given complete immunity from ever being a subject of law enforcement,” he said. “That doesn’t make any sense. No one thinks that makes any sense.”
The incident has become the latest flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, with the administration accusing critics and segments of the media of spreading misleading narratives, while Democrats argue ICE’s actions are creating fear in immigrant communities.
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Hmm – sounds to me like ICE exercised good judgement in taking the tyke into ‘protective custody’ (should have been child welfare though) especially given the weather conditions. Never mind that daddy ran away and abandoned the kid and mommy refused to come and get him.
First I think Trump, Vance and ICE are doing a great job. I would like to see more investigation into George Soros and the protesters. It would be the hope of many Americans that they be arrested and prosecuted for their crimes against ICE. If all the noise were quited down maybe ICE could do their job. Democrats should encourage Citizens to calm down , then maybe we could all get along better. Do what ever it takes, within the law, to get rid of the problem, trouble making liberal government leaders.
I.C.E U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
They do WAY more than just picking up illegal invaders in the USA. Its mission involves keeping terrorists and illegal goods out, while ensuring the efficient flow of lawful travelers and commerce, managing entry for people and cargo, and collecting duties.
CUSTOMS Key Functions:
Border Security: Preventing illegal entry and the smuggling of prohibited items like weapons, drugs, and counterfeit goods. Trade Regulation: Regulating and facilitating international trade, collecting import duties, and ensuring compliance with U.S. trade laws. Immigration Enforcement: Inspecting travelers, checking documents, and enforcing immigration laws.
Agricultural Protection: Intercepting harmful plant, animal, and biological products to protect U.S. ecosystems and food supply.
How it Works:
At Ports of Entry: CBP officers inspect all persons, baggage, and merchandise entering the U.S., conducting document checks and asking questions. Border Patrol: The U.S. Border Patrol secures the areas between official ports of entry. Inspections: This can involve searching luggage, vehicles, and questioning travelers about their activities and goods. In essence, CBP is the frontline agency responsible for the first line of defense for U.S. security and economic prosperity at its borders.
Lies, made up crisis and liberal spin is all the democrats and their MSM have. GLobal warming, WWIII, pandemiic, riots, etc etc and none of it is true or ever comes true . The cowardly media just covers it up instead of calling out the lies and predictions of our demise.