A heated debate has erupted after immigration agents detained a 5-year-old boy and his father outside their home this week, with Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) calling for a complete halt to federal immigration funding.
The incident involving young Liam Conejo Ramos has sparked outrage among local officials, and it has drawn national attention to immigration enforcement tactics.
Tuesday afternoon, Liam had just reportedly arrived home from preschool when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents showed up at his family's house.
According to school officials, agents detained both the kindergartener and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, while Liam's mother was inside their home.
The family has a pending asylum case and no deportation order requiring them to leave the United States, according to statements from Liam's school.
Three other students from the same district have also been recently detained by immigration authorities.
Two Different Stories
The Department of Homeland Security pushed back against criticism, insisting agents did not target the child. Their statement claimed the father ran away when agents approached, leaving his son behind, and that an officer stayed with Liam for his safety while others pursued his father.
However, the family's attorney told a different story at a Thursday press conference, saying Liam and his father followed proper procedures. ABC reported that the lawyer explained they entered the United States legally at an official border crossing to seek asylum using the government's CBP One app.
Rep. Grijalva didn't hold back in her response to the incident.
"Children used as bait. Babies tear-gassed. People dragged out of their homes in their underwear. Homes broken into without a warrant. This is what ICE is doing right now," Grijalva wrote on social media. "As the House votes on Department of Homeland Security funding, I'm voting HELL NO. Not another penny for an agency that is completely rogue."
Despite her opposition, the House approved Department of Homeland Security funding for fiscal year 2026 on Thursday.
Democrats are still requesting a separate vote to continue this debate.
