US Politics
ICE latest: School official calls on agents to release body cam from 5-year-old’s detention in emotional press conference
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School district officials in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, spoke out Thursday after Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained a five-year-old student and his father.
At least four students in Columbia Heights have been taken by ICE in recent weeks, including five-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, according to school district officials.
School officials called on ICE to release the body camera footage of agents taking Liam and his father.
Marc Prokosch, an attorney representing Liam’s family, told reporters the five-year-old and his father “entered lawfully through the [Customs and Border Patrol] One program.” Liam and his father “pose no safety, no flight risk, and never should have been detained,” Prokosch added.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson has said Liam’s father entered the U.S. illegally, and that ICE agents “did NOT target or arrest a child.” Liam and his father are now in an ICE facility in Dilley, Texas.
When asked about Liam earlier Thursday, Vice President JD Vance labeled his father an “illegal alien” and defended the agency’s decision.
“So the story is that ICE detained a five-year-old, well, what are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to death? Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?” Vance said.
Live coverage ended
Live coverage of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown has ended for the night. Please check back tomorrow.
Here’s a full breakdown:
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Rachel Dobkin23 January 2026 02:02
Vance to meet with ICE agents in Minneapolis
Vice President JD Vance is expected to travel to Minneapolis this afternoon, where he’s expected to meet with ICE agents and give public remarks.
Beforehand, he’s expected to speak about the Trump administration’s economic agenda in Toledo, Ohio.
Follow along for live updates from The Independent.
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 14:32
Woman arrested in connection with Minneapolis church protest
Attorney General Pam Bondi said officials have arrested a woman who allegedly played a “key role” in the anti-ICE protest at a Minneapolis church over the weekend.
The demonstrators marched into Cities Church in St. Paul during a Sunday worship service. A local ICE official serves as a pastor at the church.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem previously described the protesters as “agitators” in a post on X and said “arrests coming.”
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 14:46
5-year-old and father detained by ICE officer in Minnesota – and he’s not the only school kid swept up in raids
Rhian Lubin22 January 2026 14:56
ICE launches operation in Maine
Immigration and Customs Enforcement has launched “Operation Catch of the Day” in Maine, the agency announced Wednesday.
The Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, which manages a hotline for residents to report ICE activity in their area, has received significantly more calls this week, according to the organization’s executive director, Ruben Torres.
“It really is a very stressful moment in time. We have people who are unsure if it’s safe to go out in public because they may get picked up,” Torres told NBC News.
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 15:07
ICE is rumored to be heading for Philadelphia. Everyone is saying the same thing
In recent days, posts on TikTok and X have spread claims that Philadelphia could become the next Democratic-led city targeted for an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump’s administration.
But many locals were quick to remind outsiders that the City of Brotherly Love doesn’t always live up to its nickname — with some joking that Philadelphians are known to riot even when their sports teams win.
Brendan Rascius22 January 2026 15:18
Attorney for Renee Good’s family responds to Trump’s comments about her father
When asked if he has spoken to Good’s father since Trump made that comment, lawyer Antonio Romanucci said the family is “unified.”
“What I can tell you about her father is this: the family is unified. They are together, whether or not one of them voted for this administration in the past election or not,” Romanucci told CNN.
“Right now, that’s not as relevant as they are together, unified in their quest for justice and accountability,” he added.
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 15:30
In pictures: Anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis
Anti-ICE protests have been ongoing in Minneapolis. Vice President JD Vance is set to meet with ICE agents and make public remarks in the Minnesota city later Thursday.
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 15:47
Border Patrol commander claims Minnesota protesters are ‘rioters’
Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino called Minneapolis anti-ICE protesters “rioters” and accused some of “stalking” federal agents in Minneapolis at a Thursday press conference.
Bovino pointed to one incident in which a group attempted to stop federal agents from using a gas station restroom.
“A lot of people would call that stalking,” he said. “I don’t think any of us would like to be stalked. But getting stalked for eight to 10 hours at a time is not a very favorable climate.”
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 16:02
Vance previews Minneapolis visit
Vice President JD Vance previewed his upcoming visit to Minneapolis as he delivered remarks in Toledo, Ohio, earlier this morning.
“Now I’m headed from here to Minneapolis, where we’re going to talk with some of our ICE agents, talk with local officials about how we can turn down the chaos,” Vance said.
“And my simple piece of advice to them is going to be, if you want to turn down the chaos in Minneapolis, stop fighting immigration enforcement and accept that we have to have a border in this country,” he added.
Vance went on to slam the ongoing anti-ICE protests in the city, and said those who disagree with the Trump administration should “make that argument at the ballot box.”
“Don’t go to the streets and start assaulting federal law enforcement officers because you disagree with the policies of our administration. It’s cowardly bulls***, and it’s got to stop,” he said.
Vance is expected to meet with ICE agents before delivering public remarks in Minneapolis later this afternoon.
Katie Hawkinson22 January 2026 16:20