Five-year-old boy arrested in backyard; School officials protest

 

 

PP Cherian

Minnesota: A five-year-old boy and his father were taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota, USA, after returning home from school. Liam Ramos, a preschool student, was arrested by officers on Tuesday. They were later transferred to a detention center in Texas.

School Superintendent Seena Stenwick alleged that Liam was asked to knock on the door to check if anyone else was home and that the child was used as a 'bait' by officers.

Liam's family currently has an asylum case and are not in the country illegally, his lawyer said. He added that they are not criminals.

Liam is the fourth child to be taken into custody from the school district in the past two weeks. This includes a 10-year-old girl.

School officials said the arrests of children by armed officers were causing great fear and trauma among students and parents.

The move is reportedly part of Minnesota's efforts to tighten immigration controls.