A five-year-old boy from Minnesota was taken into federal immigration custody along with his father while returning home from preschool, prompting sharp criticism from school authorities and local leaders.

According to Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, federal agents removed the child, identified as Liam Conejo Ramos, from a running car parked in the family’s driveway on Tuesday afternoon. The incident marks the fourth case in recent weeks in which a student from the Minneapolis suburb has been detained by immigration authorities.

Stenvik said officers instructed the child to knock on the door of his home to check whether anyone else was inside. She described the action as “essentially using a 5-year-old as bait” during the operation.

The boy’s father reportedly warned the child’s mother, who was inside the home, not to open the door. The family arrived in the US in 2024 and currently has an active asylum case, with no deportation order issued, Stenvik said.

DHS denies child was targeted

The Department of Homeland Security rejected claims that the child was deliberately detained. A spokesperson said Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers were attempting to arrest the boy’s father, an Ecuadorian national alleged to be living in the US illegally.

The spokesperson claimed the father fled on foot, leaving the child behind. An officer stayed with the child to ensure his safety while the arrest was carried out, the statement said. DHS added that parents are typically given the option to remain with their children or arrange care with another guardian.

However, Stenvik disputed the claim that the father ran. She said another adult at the residence was willing to take custody of the child, but agents declined to leave him there.

School board chair Mary Granlund said she personally offered to take the child before agents left the scene. A city council member living nearby also said neighbours presented authorisation documents to care for the child, which were allegedly ignored.

Child moved to Texas detention facility

The family’s lawyer confirmed that the child and his father were transported to an immigration detention centre in Dilley, Texas. He said they have not yet been able to establish direct contact and are exploring legal options to secure their release.

Concerns were also raised over conditions at the Texas facility. A children’s rights advocate said recent visits found a sharp rise in the number of detained children, many of whom were sick or held for prolonged periods.

Community impact and rising fear

Columbia Heights Public Schools serves around 3,400 students, most from immigrant families. Stenvik said attendance has dropped significantly in recent weeks, with one day seeing nearly a third of students absent.

She alleged that immigration agents have been operating near schools, following buses and entering parking areas, creating fear and trauma among students and families.

Before Liam’s detention, a 17-year-old student was taken while heading to school, while two other minors aged 10 and 17 were also detained earlier, according to school officials.

The boy’s teacher described him as “kind and loving” and said his classmates are waiting for his safe return.

Bangladesh have decided not to travel to India for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to begin on February 7, after their request to shift matches out of the country was rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The decision was announced on Thursday following a meeting involving Bangladesh national team players and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Nazrul. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) had been given a 24-hour deadline by the ICC on Wednesday to confirm its participation in the tournament.

The board clarified that it is keen to take part in the global event but expressed its inability to do so in India amid prevailing political tensions between the two countries. The BCB said it would continue discussions with the ICC in the hope of finding an alternative solution to the impasse.

However, with the tournament drawing closer, Bangladesh’s withdrawal has placed the ICC in a difficult position. As things stand, Scotland are likely to be brought in as a replacement team if Bangladesh’s stance remains unchanged.

The ICC has not yet issued an official statement on Bangladesh’s decision, but preparations for the tournament are continuing as per the original schedule.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced that he would not proceed with planned tariffs on European allies following discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte over Arctic security and Greenland.

In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the tariffs scheduled to take effect on February 1 would be cancelled after the two sides agreed on what he described as a “framework of a future deal”. He did not provide details of the agreement.

The decision marked a sharp reversal from Trump’s earlier remarks the same day, when he had reiterated his desire for the United States to acquire Greenland, insisting on “right, title and ownership” of the island, while claiming military force would not be used.

Greenland remarks trigger concern among allies

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump described Greenland as strategically important for global security, citing threats in the Arctic region from Russia and China. He argued that the US had long protected Europe and suggested that acquiring Greenland was a reasonable demand in that context.

Trump said he did not intend to use military force, but warned that pressure could increase if negotiations failed. His comments raised concerns among European leaders and NATO members, as Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under Danish sovereignty.

Denmark and other NATO allies have consistently stated that Greenland is not for sale. Danish officials have said they are open to discussions on security cooperation but stressed that sovereignty remains a non-negotiable issue.

Denmark and Greenland respond

After Trump’s speech, a Danish government official said Copenhagen was willing to discuss US security concerns, but made it clear that Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland was a firm red line.

Greenland’s government, meanwhile, advised residents to be prepared for potential crises. Authorities released guidance urging citizens to keep basic supplies at home for several days. Some residents said they viewed Trump’s statements as threats but preferred to be cautious.

Local voices in Greenland expressed concern over the rhetoric, with residents describing the remarks as unsettling and dismissive of the island’s people and identity.

Tariff threat eased, tensions remain

Trump had earlier warned that the US could impose import tariffs starting at 10 percent on Denmark and seven other European allies, potentially rising to 25 percent by June, unless negotiations progressed. Those threats drew strong responses from European leaders, who warned of firm and united countermeasures if tariffs were imposed.

Economists cautioned that renewed trade tensions could disrupt economic stability on both sides of the Atlantic. Markets reacted nervously to the tariff threats before recovering later in the day.

Despite cancelling the immediate tariff plan, Trump continued to push for negotiations over Greenland, framing the issue as one of long-term national and international security.