A new political storm has erupted in the United States after a five-year-old asylum-seeking child was detained by immigration authorities, drawing sharp criticism from Democrat Kamala Harris and reigniting debate over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Child Detained During Immigration Operation in Texas

Liam Conejo Ramos, a preschool student originally from Ecuador, was taken into custody along with his father while returning home. Wearing a Spider-Man backpack and a blue hat, the child was transported to a detention facility in Texas after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approached his family.

According to a family attorney cited by Reuters, Liam and his father were living legally in the United States as asylum applicants. The incident marks the fourth reported case in recent weeks involving the detention of a minor by ICE.

Harris Says Child Was “Used as Bait”

Reacting strongly, Kamala Harris described the detention as unacceptable. Posting images of the child online, she said the five-year-old should be at home with his family, not held in a detention centre.

“Liam Ramos is just a baby,” Harris wrote, calling the action “outrageous” and urging the public to speak out.

Trump Team Defends Enforcement Actions

Asked about the case, Vice President JD Vance said he supports strict enforcement of immigration laws. While expressing personal discomfort as a parent, Vance argued that the child was not arrested but temporarily detained during an operation targeting his father.

He claimed the father fled when officers approached, leaving the child behind. “Are law enforcement officers supposed to abandon a child in the cold?” Vance asked, defending the agents’ actions.

Homeland Security Rejects Claims of Targeting a Child

The Department of Homeland Security denied accusations that ICE deliberately targeted the child. In a statement posted on X, the department said the boy was “abandoned” when officers moved to arrest his father, who it described as an undocumented immigrant released under a previous administration.

Officials stated that one ICE officer stayed with the child to ensure his safety while others pursued the father.

School Officials Offer Contradicting Account

Local education leaders offered a different version of events. Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said federal agents removed the child from a running vehicle in the family’s driveway and instructed him to knock on his home’s door.

She accused officers of effectively using the child to draw out other family members. Witnesses said neighbours, school officials, and relatives volunteered to care for the boy, but those offers were declined.

The family arrived in the U.S. in 2024 and has an active asylum case, with no deportation order issued, Stenvik added.

Who Is Liam Conejo Ramos?

Liam is a preschool student at Columbia Heights Public Schools, where educators describe him as gentle and affectionate. His teacher said classmates are distressed by his absence and hope for his safe return.

The district serves about 3,400 students, many from immigrant families, highlighting the broader impact the incident has had on the local community.

Immigration Debate Intensifies Ahead of Elections

The detention has intensified political tensions as immigration once again becomes a central issue in U.S. politics. While Democrats accuse the Trump administration of cruelty, Republicans argue that enforcing immigration law is necessary to maintain border security.

As public scrutiny grows, the fate of one five-year-old child has become a powerful symbol in a deeply divided national debate.