By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following his detention by ICE, five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos is reportedly experiencing health issues, including lethargy, loss of appetite, and stomach pain, according to family members and lawmakers who visited him at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, who also visited the facility, expressed concerns about Liam’s well-being and the overall conditions of the detention center. The lawmakers reported issues with the water quality, medical care, and food quality, while the DHS has provided a statement from Dr. Sean Conley stating that they do provide the proper medical care. Castro plans to revisit the facility to check on Liam and other residents.
Read the original article here
Boy, 5, detained by ICE in a viral moment is now sick in a detention center. This is the heart of the matter, and it’s a gut punch. The initial outrage surrounding the boy’s detention, fueled by a viral moment capturing his vulnerability, has morphed into a deeper, more troubling concern. Now, this child, already subjected to the trauma of separation and confinement, is reportedly ill.
The Constitution, which protects all *persons*, not just citizens, from cruel and unusual punishment, seems to be a distant concept in this scenario. The basic needs, like access to clean water for mixing formula, are apparently not being met. This stark contrast between the ideals of the nation and the reality of this child’s experience is difficult to reconcile.
The dehumanization of immigrants, referred to with labels that strip away their humanity, is a key element in the unfolding tragedy. To see this child referred to in ways that minimize his personhood is a painful act. Article 28 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child guarantees him the right to education, a right he is being denied. Articles 24 are being violated, by denying healthcare and safe and nutritious food. Where is the international community in holding these violations accountable?
The circumstances surrounding this little boy are nothing short of heartbreaking. It is a harsh reality that a kindergarten-aged child is behind bars, suffering not only from detention but also from illness. There is no other word to call these facilities but concentration camps. His basic needs and rights are being ignored.
The situation is a symptom of a larger, systemic problem. The ideology that seems to permeate the administration, is alarming. It’s a system where compassion and basic human rights are overshadowed by political agendas. The lack of compassion in immigration policies allows such inhumane practices to continue.
The simple fact that this boy has only one set of clothes, washed each night by his father, highlights the lack of basic necessities provided. This is nothing short of torture, a violation of both constitutional and international laws. The world is watching, and the image of this little boy, sick and detained, will likely have a long-lasting impact.
The situation is a direct result of the policies and actions of those in power. The resulting trauma on this child has gone well beyond any ability to protect himself. It is possible that this has resulted in a psychogenic coma.
The treatment of this child, and others like him, is a moral failing. No true patriot, Christian, parent, or voter seeking to build a better country should condone such actions. The hypocrisy of those who claim to be “pro-life” while supporting policies that harm children is staggering.
It’s a reminder of the atrocities that can occur when systems prioritize political agendas over human rights. The detention center, in this case, becomes a place of suffering, and this has lasting effects.
The cruelty is the point. The separation of a child from his parents, and then the endangering of his life, is a calculated and utterly reprehensible act. This boy’s situation is not unique; he is just one of many children currently incarcerated.
The anger is justified. How can anyone support monsters that perpetuate the suffering of children? For many, the constitution is nothing but words on paper. The actions of ICE and those in authority are beyond disturbing.
This is a story of how institutions and individuals failed. The actions of those who made this possible are not just wrong; they are immoral. The failure to treat these children with basic decency reflects a fundamental brokenness in our society.
This case is a tragic reminder that words such as “pro-life” are just empty phrases. Even the boy’s father has a pending asylum claim. What kind of society allows the trauma of family separation, the denial of basic needs, and the risk of illness to be inflicted on a child?
The hope is that there will be a reckoning. There needs to be accountability for those who have orchestrated and enabled these atrocities. The system that allowed this to happen must be dismantled and rebuilt with compassion at its core. It is the only way to ensure that such horrors are never repeated.