WASHINGTON D.C January 23, 2026 – In a pointed response to widespread criticism and media reports, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Executive Associate Director (EAD) Marcos Charles has defended his agency’s actions during the arrest of an Ecuadorian migrant, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, which involved the temporary separation and subsequent detention of Arias’s 5-year-old son, Liam Conejo Ramos. The incident, which occurred on January 20, 2026, in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, has sparked intense debate over immigration enforcement tactics, with ICE accusing activists and media outlets of spreading “lies and smears” that endanger officers.
According to ICE’s account, detailed in a video statement released on X (formerly Twitter) by the agency’s official account, the operation targeted Arias, described as a “criminal illegal alien from Ecuador” who had been released into the U.S. interior under the previous administration. Charles explained that when officers approached Arias and his son in a vehicle upon their return from preschool, Arias fled on foot, leaving the child behind in the freezing winter conditions. “One of our officers stayed behind with that child while other officers apprehended his father,” Charles stated in the video. Following the arrest, ICE officers reportedly cared for the boy, taking him to a drive-through restaurant for food and spending hours ensuring his well-being.
Charles further alleged that attempts to reunite the child with family members at the residence were rebuffed, with residents refusing to open the door despite seeing the boy. “They saw the young boy, and they refused to open the door and take him back,” he said. Ultimately, Arias requested that his son remain with him, leading ICE to transport both to a family residential center in Dilley, Texas, where they are currently held pending immigration proceedings. ICE emphasized the “human side” of their work, noting that officers, many of whom are parents themselves, were “heartbroken” by the situation.
However, this narrative contrasts sharply with accounts from local school officials, the family’s attorney, and witnesses. Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik described the boy being “essentially used as bait” by ICE agents, who allegedly had him knock on the door to lure relatives out. An adult at the scene reportedly begged to take custody of Liam, but agents refused. Attorney Marc Prokosch, representing the family, asserted that Arias and his son entered the U.S. legally at a port of entry seeking asylum, disputing ICE’s characterization of Arias as a “criminal” and claiming no criminal history. Prokosch also challenged ICE’s claim that Arias entered without using the CBP One app, insisting the entry was lawful.
The arrest has drawn national attention, with viral images showing the young boy, clad in a plaid coat and bunny-eared hat, being led away by officers. This marks the fourth student from the Columbia Heights school district detained in recent weeks amid heightened ICE operations in Minnesota. A GoFundMe for the family has raised over $110,000, reflecting public sympathy.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials, including spokesperson Kerry McLaughlin, reiterated that the child was not the target and was only involved due to the father’s flight. Critics, including Vice President Kamala Harris and local Democrats, have condemned the tactics, with some labeling it a “psy-op” to incite public outrage. ICE maintains that the backlash endangers personnel and misrepresents their efforts to enforce immigration laws.
As deportation proceedings continue, the case highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy, with stakeholders on both sides calling for transparency and reform. Life News Agency will monitor developments in this story.
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