ICE Targets Immigrant Children on Their Way to School in Minnesota's 'Metro Surge' Operation

Immigrant Children Detained in Minneapolis

According to Главком: Federal ICE agents are detaining immigrant children, including students, on their way to school in Minneapolis suburbs as part of an operation called 'Metro Surge.' These arrests have sparked significant community alarm. The detained children, among them 10-year-old Elizabeth Zuniga Caisaguano, are being transported to a detention facility in Texas, located 1,200 miles from their homes. Over the past month, at least five other students have faced a similar fate.

Elizabeth was apprehended near a bus stop at 6:10 a.m. Her family arrived in the U.S. from Ecuador in 2020. Their asylum claim was denied in 2025, and the case is currently under appeal. After a month in Texas, Elizabeth and her mother, Rosa, were released and returned to Minnesota.

Other Cases of Detention

Another detained child is 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos. He was taken into custody with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, on January 20. Following over a week in a Texas detention center, they were released by order of federal Judge Fred Biery, who mandated the release of Liam and his father no later than Tuesday, February 3.

It is important to note that over 50% of students in this community come from immigrant families, highlighting the scale of the issue affecting local residents. These enforcement actions occur within a broader national debate on immigration policy and enforcement priorities.

The detention of immigrant children in Minneapolis suburbs has caused deep concern, as many immigrant families face uncertainty in their asylum proceedings. Many of the children caught in this situation are students at local schools, which underscores the impact on their education and social lives. The 'Metro Surge' operation continues to fuel debates about U.S. immigration policy and its consequences for the most vulnerable populations.