Columbia Heights Public Schools

Columbia Heights Public Schools, located in a Minneapolis suburb, is at the center of recent news due to the detention of one of its five-year-old preschool students, Liam Conejo Ramos, by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). School officials have alleged that Liam was 'essentially' used as 'bait' to apprehend his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who is seeking asylum in the U.S. According to reports, ICE agents detained Liam and his father on January 20, 2026, as they arrived home from preschool. This incident has drawn significant attention as it marks the fourth student from the district to be detained by immigration officers in recent weeks. The detention has sparked outrage and debate, raising concerns about ICE's tactics and their impact on children and families within the school community. The event highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies and their effects on local communities.