In an X post, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said, “ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED,” responding to a post accusing ICE of detaining a 5-year-old. DHS said that on January 20 ICE carried out a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, described as “an illegal alien from Ecuador,” and claimed he was “RELEASED into the U.S. by the Biden administration.” DHS wrote that as agents approached, Conejo Arias “fled on foot—abandoning his child,” and that “for the child’s safety,” one ICE officer stayed with the child while other officers apprehended him. DHS also said parents can choose to be removed with their children, or ICE will place children with a safe person the parent designates, and added that parents can “take control of their departure” and receive “a free flight and $2,600” through the CBP Home app.
#DHS #HomelandSecurity #ICE #Immigration #CBP #CBPHome #BorderPolicy #PublicStatement
