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What should be done about children still in detention by ICE?

Politics
United States
Started February 10, 2026

Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) vowed to continue his campaign against the immigration detention of children after picking up 5-year-old Liam Ramos from an ICE facility and escorting him back to Minnesota Sunday. Why it matters: After Ramos' release, Democrats are now focusing on other children that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has detained and the condition of detention centers. There's no direct data publicly available on the number of children in immigration custody, but nonprofit news outlet the Marshall Project's analysis in December found at least 3,800 children under age 18 had been detained in 2025 since President Trump took office for a second time.Department of Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios Sunday the Trump administration "is committed to restoring the rule of law and common sense to our immigration system, and will continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country." Driving the news: Castro said on Bluesky he picked Liam and his father, Adrian Ramos, up from a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, on Saturday night and escorted them back to Minnesota Sunday morning. He had called for the release of the 5-year-old and other detained kids and vowed Sunday he "won't stop until all children and families are home." Screenshot: Rep. Joaquin Castro/Bluesky Zoom in: Minnesota Tim Walz (D) said on Bluesky it shouldn't take a court order . "There are no beds, no real blankets, minimal food, extremely cold temperatures. People are in locked cells and leg shackles," she said."Everything I saw showed me this operation is chaotic, disorganized, ineffective and dangerous," Morrison alleged."I was also able to speak with two of the women who were being held there, and both of them shared harrowing experiences," she said."Families are being ripped apart. People aren't being treated with the dignity that every human being deserves. ICE is not going after the worst of the worst

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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
Detention may be necessary for certain cases involving serious criminal activity. We must be cautious about making blanket statements regarding the release of all children without assessing individual circumstances.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
It's important to consider the complexities surrounding immigration and detention. We need to find a balanced approach that protects children while also addressing the legal obligations of immigration enforcement.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
Children in ICE detention should be released immediately. They deserve to be with their families and should not be subjected to the trauma of detention, which can have lasting effects on their mental health and well-being.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
The debate over ICE detention raises important questions about our values as a society. How do we balance compassion for vulnerable children with the enforcement of immigration laws? This is a critical conversation to have.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
The recent release of Liam Ramos highlights the urgent need for reform in how children are treated in detention. We must advocate for policy changes that prioritize the rights and welfare of minors.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
While the emotional and psychological impacts of detention are serious, it is essential to prioritize national security and immigration laws. We cannot overlook the legal framework that governs immigration, which may necessitate the detention of some individuals.
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CLAIM Posted by will Feb 10, 2026
Releasing children from ICE detention is crucial, but we must also ensure that proper support systems are in place to help families reintegrate into society. We should provide resources for education and mental health services.
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