A fundraiser established to support the family of a five-year-old boy from Minneapolis, who was taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents alongside his father, has garnered more than $110,000 in donations. The appeal, titled "Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home", was created on behalf of the boy's mother, Erica, to cover legal expenses aimed at securing their release from detention.
Community Rallies Behind Family in Distress
The fundraiser was initiated by Sarai Orquiz, who stated that Erica requested her assistance in setting up the campaign. In a heartfelt statement, Orquiz described the situation as an "extremely difficult time" for the mother, who is profoundly grateful for the overwhelming support from the community. She emphasized that the family is doing everything possible to reunite with Liam and his father, but noted that legal assistance comes at a high cost.
Details of the Detention and Fundraiser Suspension
According to Orquiz, Erica has been in contact with her son and husband, who have reported they are "fine", but the reality is far from reassuring. She recounted that Liam and his father were "kidnapped and transported across the country without the ability to contact their family or an attorney." The fundraiser was temporarily suspended for several hours on Thursday, but resumed by mid-afternoon, with donations exceeding $110,000. GoFundMe did not immediately comment, but such suspensions can occur while the platform verifies account authenticity or fund usage.
School District Confirms Multiple Detentions
Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public Schools in a Minneapolis suburb, confirmed that Liam Ramos and his father were taken into custody on their driveway on Tuesday and subsequently moved to a detention center in Texas. Stenvik revealed that Liam, who recently turned five, is one of four children in the district detained by federal immigration agents during a recent enforcement surge under the Trump administration. For over 24 hours, Erica had no knowledge of their whereabouts until the father managed to call from Texas, a situation described as "unimaginable" by Orquiz.
Legal Representation and Asylum Case
Marc Prokosch, the attorney representing the family, asserted that the father and son are together in detention. He clarified that the family has an active asylum case and there is no deportation order against them, stating, "They did not come here illegally. They are not criminals." This sudden separation has left the family heartbroken, with Liam's mother and siblings deeply concerned for his safety and wellbeing.
ICE's Response and Controversy
In a post on X, the Department of Homeland Security claimed that the boy's father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias from Ecuador, "abandoned" his son during the ICE operation. The post alleged that as agents approached, Conejo Arias fled on foot, leaving the child behind, and an ICE officer remained with the boy for safety. However, it did not explain why Liam was later taken into detention, nor did it address the family's assertions of being together. ICE stated that parents are typically asked if they wish to be removed with their children or can designate a safe person for placement.
The case has sparked significant community support and highlights ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement in the United States, particularly concerning family separations and the treatment of minors in detention.
