For Columbia Heights school in crosshairs of ICE surge, recovery will be a slow process

By: Becky Z. Dernbach

Outlets: Sahan Journal

Published: February 20, 2026

Words: 2,208

Last Updated: 4 hours, 27 minutes ago

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At Valley View Elementary School, joy has become an important lesson.

The Columbia Heights elementary school, where about two-thirds of students are Latino, has been on the front lines of Minnesota’s ICE surge. Four students there have been detained, including 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who captured the world’s attention in a viral photo with his blue bunny hat. At least 30 parents of Valley View students have been detained, too.

Children ask their teachers …

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