Who Is Liam Ramos' Family? Five-Year-Old in Spiderman Getup Used By ICE To Capture His Dad

US immigration agents have been accused of using a five-year-old boy dressed in a Spiderman get-up as bait to apprehend his father, prompting widespread outrage and questions about Liam Ramos' family circumstances.

Liam Conejo Ramos, who recently turned five, was detained alongside his Ecuadorian father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, in the driveway of their home in Columbia Heights, a suburb of Minneapolis, on 21 January.

The Detention Incident

The incident unfolded as Liam returned from pre-kindergarten at Columbia Heights Public Schools. Superintendent Zena Stenvik said an agent took the boy from the still-running car and directed him to knock while calling to be let in. 'Why detain a 5-year-old?' Stenvik asked at a news conference the next day.

DHS countered that the father fled on foot, abandoning the child briefly, and agents stayed for his safety, denying any misuse of authority. Photos from the district show Liam in the snow beside an SUV, an agent's hand on his backpack, father out of frame.

The image went viral, heightening anger in the Twin Cities. Liam is the fourth student detained from the district since mid-December, during a Trump administration deportation surge. Agents have been seen circling schools and following buses, an approach that was hardly low-key.

Liam Ramos' Family Background

The Ramos family hails from Ecuador, where they faced persecution prompting their flight to the US. Liam and his father entered legally in December 2024 through the CBP One app, initiating asylum proceedings.

Their lawyer, Marc Prokosch, emphasised they are not undocumented immigrants and are following a lawful process. 'These are not illegal aliens. They came legally and are pursuing a legal pathway,' he said. Little is known about Liam's mother, who was present but reportedly declined to take custody during the incident.

No siblings have been mentioned in reports. The family had settled in Minnesota, with Liam attending preschool in the Columbia Heights district, which has seen three other students detained recently amid heightened ICE activity. This surge follows the Trump administration's renewed focus on deportations since mid-December.

Public Outcry and Official Responses

The incident has ignited fierce debate across the US. Vice President JD Vance defended the agents, asking, 'What are they supposed to do? Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?'

Critics, including immigration experts, argue detaining children requires probable cause and condemn using them in operations. Ahilan Arulanantham, a UCLA law professor, stated agents cannot arrest a child to use as bait. In Minnesota, residents have sarcastically questioned if Liam represents the criminals targeted by enforcement.

A viral post on X by journalist Ernesto Migone showed photos of the boy, amplifying the story internationally.

As of 23 January 2026, Liam and his father remain at the South Texas Family Residential Center, with attorneys seeking contact.

The case highlights tensions in US immigration policy, particularly involving Liam Ramos' family and other asylum claimants. No Minnesota criminal record has been reported for Adrian Conejo Arias to date, underscoring the focus on immigration status alone.

A fundraiser titled 'Help Bring 5-Year-Old Liam Home,' set up at the mother's request, has raised over $150,000 (£114,000) for the family's legal fees.