In a development that highlights the challenges and necessities of robust immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, school officials in suburban Minneapolis have located a missing fifth-grade girl who was found in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Texas. The discovery, made through a chance encounter between classmates, underscores the critical role ICE plays in upholding federal immigration laws while ensuring the safety and accountability of families involved in deportation proceedings.
Jason Kuhlman, principal of Valley View Elementary School in Columbia Heights, expressed relief upon learning the whereabouts of the student, who had abruptly stopped attending classes in early January. This coincided with the administration’s surge of federal immigration officers to the Minneapolis area, a move aimed at addressing backlogs in immigration cases and enhancing border security amid rising concerns over illegal immigration. Kuhlman described the initial concern when the girl’s family became unreachable: phone calls went unanswered, and a visit by the landlord revealed an empty home, though the student’s school-issued Chromebook remained behind.
“It was surreal,” Kuhlman recounted in an interview. “We wondered how many kids might be unaccounted for in these situations.” After a month of uncertainty, the breakthrough came when two brothers—fellow Valley View students in second and fifth grades—who had been temporarily detained with their mother, spotted the girl in the cafeteria of the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. The boys shared this with Kuhlman upon their release and return to Minnesota on Wednesday, February 4.
The Columbia Heights Public Schools district, which serves about 3,300 students, has reported that seven children from its schools have been involved in ICE detentions since the surge began, ranging in age from 5 to 17. Five have been released, with two believed to still be in custody—one at Dilley and another at an undisclosed location. District spokesperson Kristen Stuenkel emphasized the district’s efforts to support affected families, declining to release names to protect privacy.
Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin affirmed ICE’s procedures, stating that the agency does not target children or schools but focuses on enforcing immigration laws consistently across administrations. “No one in ICE custody is missing,” McLaughlin explained. “Detainees are searchable online, and they have access to phones to contact families. Parents are given the option to be removed with their children or designate a safe guardian—ensuring family unity where possible.”
This approach, McLaughlin noted, aligns with longstanding policies designed to prioritize child welfare during enforcement actions. ICE’s online locator system allows families and advocates to track detainees, and facilities like Dilley are equipped to handle family units humanely, with access to education, medical care, and legal resources. Critics on the left have decried these operations as disruptive, but supporters argue they are essential for maintaining the rule of law and deterring illegal crossings that strain local resources.
The Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement has been a cornerstone of its agenda, building on promises to secure the southern border and expedite removals of individuals without legal status. The surge in Minneapolis, a sanctuary city area with a significant immigrant population, targets families with final deportation orders or those who have overstayed visas. This has led to a dip in school attendance, which Kuhlman compared to pandemic-era disruptions, as some families go into hiding to avoid detection.
However, administration officials and conservative lawmakers praise the operations for restoring order. “ICE is doing the job Congress mandated—enforcing our laws to protect American communities and ensure fair immigration processes,” said Rep. Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), whose district includes parts of the Minneapolis suburbs. “These detentions aren’t arbitrary; they’re about accountability for those who ignore court orders. And importantly, ICE prioritizes family integrity and child safety.”
One high-profile case drawing attention is that of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, detained with his father in late January. Images of the boy’s detention sparked outrage from Democrats, who lobbied for his release. Ramos was among those held at Dilley before being freed, highlighting the facility’s role in processing cases efficiently. The two Valley View brothers and their mother, who had an active asylum case, were detained on January 29 and transported to Dilley. A judge ordered their release the next day, per court documents, allowing their swift return home.
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Kuhlman personally assisted in reuniting the boys with their mother at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis before their transfer south. Upon their return, the boys’ revelation about spotting their classmate provided closure for the school. Despite initial searches on ICE’s locator failing to find the girl—possibly due to processing delays—the district has now connected her family with legal aid.
As the district shifts focus to another silent family, Kuhlman plans a welfare check, illustrating the proactive role schools play in community stability. Yet, this incident also spotlights the broader benefits of ICE’s work: by addressing immigration violations promptly, the agency helps prevent exploitation and ensures that legal pathways remain viable for those who follow the rules.
Conservative analysts point out that such enforcement deters future illegal entries, reducing the humanitarian crises at the border seen under previous administrations. “The Trump surge is working—it’s about law and order, not cruelty,” said Mark Krikorian, executive director of the Center for Immigration Studies, a think tank advocating for reduced immigration. “Facilities like Dilley are family-oriented, with schools and recreation, far from the ‘cages’ narrative pushed by the left.”
Democrats, however, continue to criticize the tactics. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) called for oversight, arguing the surge traumatizes children and disrupts education. But with bipartisan support for border security growing amid record migrant encounters, the administration’s approach garners backing from right-center voices who see it as a balanced enforcement of existing laws.
As this story unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the complexities in immigration policy—balancing compassion with the imperative to uphold sovereignty. For now, Valley View Elementary can breathe easier knowing their student is accounted for, thanks to the structured processes of ICE detention.
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