Minneapolis, MN – It turns out ICE did not use a young boy as bait and his fleeing illegal alien father abandoned the young boy in a failed attempt to save himself.
The Department of Homeland Security on Thursday rejected claims that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents used a 5-year-old boy as “human bait” during an arrest operation, saying the child was instead abandoned when his father fled from agents attempting to take him into custody.
The controversy erupted after a post from the Democrats’ official account accused ICE of arresting a young boy “coming home from preschool” and attempting to use him to lure others. The party described the child as “a bright young student,” sparking outrage and renewed scrutiny over federal immigration enforcement tactics.
In a detailed response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said agents were conducting a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, an undocumented immigrant from Ecuador who had been released into the United States by the Biden administration.
According to DHS, as agents approached Arias, he fled on foot—leaving his child behind.
“ICE did not target a child. The child was abandoned,” DHS said in its statement. The agency added that one officer stayed with the boy to ensure his safety while others pursued and arrested Arias.
Officials said standard protocol allows detained parents to decide whether to be removed with their children or to designate a trusted individual to care for them. DHS also noted that under its CBP Home program, migrants can voluntarily depart the country and receive transportation assistance and limited financial support.
The incident has fueled partisan debate, with critics of ICE accusing the agency of heavy-handed tactics and the administration’s defenders arguing the arrest followed long-standing policy. DHS reiterated that its officers “acted appropriately to ensure the child’s safety.”
Key Points: ICE denies using 5-year-old boy as ‘bait,’ says child was abandoned by fleeing father – Minneapolis
- DHS said ICE agents did not target the child but stayed with him after his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled during an arrest.
- The Democrats’ social media account accused ICE of using the boy as “human bait,” sparking widespread criticism.
- DHS maintained that officers followed procedure and that the child’s safety was never compromised during the incident.
