Sat Jan 24 16:40:00 UTC 2026: ### ICE Under Fire After Separating Toddler from Father in Minneapolis Immigration Raid

The Story:
A 2-year-old girl was taken into ICE custody along with her father, Elvis Tipan-Echeverria, in Minneapolis on Thursday, January 22, 2026, sparking outrage and legal challenges. The child was flown to Texas despite a court order mandating her immediate release. Although the child was returned to her mother on Friday, January 23, 2026, her father remains in custody. The incident has intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics, particularly in light of a similar case involving a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, also taken into custody in Minneapolis this week.

Key Points:

  • Elvis Tipan-Echeverria and his 2-year-old daughter, C.R.T.V., citizens of Ecuador, were taken into custody during a “targeted enforcement operation” in Minneapolis.
  • A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson said the father was “driving erratically with a child in the vehicle”. DHS further stated Tipan-Echeverria “refused multiple lawful commands to open his door or lower his window”.
  • The family’s lawyer alleges that agents entered the backyard and driveway “without a warrant” and broke the car window while the toddler was inside.
  • A court order for the child’s immediate release was issued at 8:11 PM on Thursday, but the child was flown to Texas by 8:30 PM that same day.
  • DHS claims the mother initially refused to take custody of the child, a claim the family lawyer disputes, stating the mother was “terrified” of the agents.
  • Protests erupted at the scene of the arrest, with reports of agents deploying a chemical agent and claims that rocks and garbage cans were thrown at agents.
  • A federal court order currently prevents ICE from removing the father from Minnesota while court proceedings are underway.
  • The event occurred in the backdrop of previous tense standoffs between agents and protestors following the death of Minneapolis resident Renee Good.

Key Takeaways:

  • The aggressive enforcement tactics employed by ICE, particularly involving young children, are facing increasing public and legal resistance.
  • Discrepancies exist between the DHS’s account of events and the family’s legal representation, particularly regarding the mother’s willingness to take custody of her child.
  • The rapid removal of the child to Texas, despite a court order, raises serious questions about ICE’s adherence to legal procedures.
  • The incidents contribute to growing tensions and distrust between immigrant communities and federal law enforcement.
  • These high-profile cases have the potential to influence immigration policy and enforcement practices.

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