Which major U.S. city's school district had four children detained by ICE agents in January 2026?

In January 2026, the school district of Columbia Heights, Minnesota, faced a challenging situation when at least four of its students were detained by agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This included a 5-year-old boy named Liam Conejo Ramos, who was taken into custody with his father, and a 17-year-old high school student removed from his car on the way to school. Another instance involved a 10-year-old girl detained with her mother while en route to elementary school, and two more children, a second and fifth grader, were taken into custody with their mother after her court appointment.

These detentions were part of a broader immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area, which saw a significant deployment of federal officers. The events deeply affected the Columbia Heights school community, with officials reporting a shaken sense of security and shattered hearts. Many families became fearful, leading to increased calls for assistance at schools, and some students were even sent to detention facilities in Texas with their parents.

The incidents in Columbia Heights highlighted the profound impact of immigration enforcement on children and educational institutions. Schools, like Valley View Elementary, found themselves becoming front-line responders, offering support beyond traditional education, such as providing food and legal assistance to families. The detentions drew national attention to the emotional and educational toll on students and communities, underscoring the complexities and human consequences of immigration policies.