Liam Ramos isn’t alone. ICE must release kids from detention
The image of five-year-old Liam Ramos, captured in a bunny hat and superhero backpack, became a stark symbol of the increasing trauma faced by children impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement in the United States. Liam and his father were detained and transported over 1,000 miles from their home in Minneapolis to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, where they were held with more than 1,000 other detainees, including hundreds of children.
The Impact on Children’s Health
Pediatricians recognize the profound impact of immigration enforcement on children’s well-being. Witnessing enforcement activities, particularly involving heavily armed agents, is deeply frightening. The fear of a loved one’s unpredictable arrest or detention, coupled with violent confrontations, creates a climate of anxiety and instability.
These experiences manifest in disrupted sleep, loss of appetite, panic attacks, learning difficulties and a persistent fear of family separation. Current enforcement actions deprive children – both those in immigrant families and their neighbors – of a fundamental sense of safety, essential for healthy development. Families are increasingly hesitant to access medical care, attend school, or even shop for necessities, fearing detention and separation.
The Cycle of Trauma
Prolonged exposure to this environment creates toxic stress and trauma, particularly when coupled with the separation from caregivers. The use of visible force intended to intimidate families compromises community health and safety. More than 1,700 children have been detained in family detention centres since the spring of 2025, after a previous practice of family detention was ended in 2021.
Reports from facilities like Dilley detail inadequate medical care, unsafe living conditions, and disciplinary tactics that inflict psychological trauma. While Liam Ramos has returned home with his father, his deportation proceedings are still ongoing, and the trauma of his detention will likely remain with him.
Potential Next Steps
Federal policymakers could prioritize child safety as they negotiate the Department of Homeland Security budget. A possible next step would be to prohibit immigration enforcement actions near sensitive locations like schools and healthcare facilities. It is also likely that increased training for federal law enforcement officials working in communities with children will be considered. Congressional oversight of detention center conditions could also be established.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Liam Ramos?
Liam Ramos, a five-year-old child, was detained with his father by immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis and transported to a detention center in Dilley, Texas. He has since been released and returned home, but his family’s deportation proceedings are ongoing.
Where were Liam and his father detained?
Liam and his father were detained and transported over 1,000 miles to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, where they were held with more than 1,000 other detainees, including hundreds of children.
What are the health consequences for children impacted by immigration enforcement?
Children experience disrupted sleep, loss of appetite, panic attacks, learning difficulties, and persistent anxiety. Exposure to enforcement activities and the fear of family separation create toxic stress and trauma, impacting their overall health and development.
How can communities best support children facing the stress of potential family separation due to immigration enforcement?