Context of the Detention

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE officers detained the boy only after an attempt to arrest his father led to a foot chase. However, Ramos’s case is part of a broader and aggressive initiative to detain unauthorized immigrant families, reviving practices that had been largely abandoned five years prior.

The Numbers Behind the Policy Shift

According to an analysis by the News, ICE has booked approximately 3,800 minors into immigrant family detention centers from January to October 2025, including very young children. A significant number of these apprehensions occurred inside the country, rather than at border crossings. This marks a substantial departure from previous administrations, which primarily detained families crossing the border together. Minor detainees are entitled to special legal protections under the 1997 Flores Settlement, which mandates their release if they cannot be promptly deported.

Changing Landscape of Immigration Enforcement

The Trump administration is increasingly apprehending families during high-profile immigration sweeps in major cities, as noted by Becky Wolozin, an attorney from the National Center for Youth Law. “This is not people showing up at the border,” she said. “These are individuals who have permission to live in the U.S. Even U.S. citizens are being arrested.”

The Conditions of Detention

Many children detained with their parents end up at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, managed by the private contractor CoreCivic. These centers are designed to offer a less punitive environment, providing access to education and recreational activities. However, concerns remain about the treatment of detainees and the centers’ operational transparency.

Patterns of Detention

Individuals in these centers often have pending asylum claims and work authorizations that demonstrate compliance with immigration laws, yet they find themselves apprehended nonetheless. Liam Ramos’s family, originally from Ecuador, approached the U.S.-Mexico border through the CBP One app to claim asylum, citing persecution in their homeland. However, their asylum claims received no consideration during their arrest.

The Implications for Immigrant Families

Wolozin emphasized the dire implications of such policy shifts: “This is as horrible as it looks,” she stated. “Children are coming home from school only to face detention that may lead them to unsafe situations.” The apprehension has not only affected Ramos; reports indicate ICE has also detained several other minors in the area.

A Historical Overview of Family Detention Policies

Family detention policies in the U.S. date back to the George W. Bush administration, which opened centers in Pennsylvania and Texas. Although Barack Obama initially reduced family detentions, a surge in Central American families in 2014 prompted an increase. The Trump administration sought to overturn Flores Settlement provisions in court, resulting in widespread condemnation.

The Current Political Landscape

The Biden administration halted family detention in 2021, yet the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are again pursuing changes to the Flores Settlement. Recent legislation authorizes ICE to detain families until they are removed, contradicting long-standing protections for minors. This has led to an increased funding allocation for ICE from the federal government, raising concerns about the aim and execution of current immigration policies.

“These are just families,” Wolozin remarked. “They are not dangerous. They are trying to navigate a complex system. This is wholly unnecessary and specifically designed to harm children.”