Illegal Alien Abandons 5 Year-Old Child

5 years old. This is a child—not a threat to our community. When the federal government treats kids like criminals, something has gone seriously wrong. https://t.co/YqMyHA74yw

— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) January 22, 2026

… also detained.

This is a lie and you know it.

This child was ABANDONED by his criminal illegal alien parent, Adrien Arias of Ecuador, who fled from our officers when approached. Our officers ensured the child was SAFE.

Lies like these, from elected officials such as yourself, put our officers…

— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) January 22, 2026

… at greater risk of attack.

ICE did NOT target a child. The child was ABANDONED.

On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias an illegal alien from Ecuador who was RELEASED into the U.S. by the Biden administration.

As agents approached the driver Adrian… https://t.co/UmxxV34omm

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 22, 2026

… Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot—abandoning his child. For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.

Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administration’s immigration enforcement. Parents can take control of their departure and receive a free flight and $2,600 with the CBP Home app. By using the CBP Home app illegal aliens reserve the chance to come back the right legal way.

"I do a little bit more follow-up research, and what I find is that the 5-year-old was not arrested, that his dad was an illegal alien, and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father RAN... Are they supposed to let a 5-year-old child freeze to death?" - @VP 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Lxpps10m7P

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 22, 2026

On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot—abandoning his child. For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other… https://t.co/yJVf5B66lQ

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 22, 2026

… officers apprehended Conejo Arias.

Our officer’s made multiple attempts to get the mother inside the house to take custody of her child. Officers even assured her that they would NOT take her into custody. She refused to accept custody of the child. The father told officers he wanted the child to remain with him.

Our officers primary concern during the entire operation was the safety and welfare of the child. Following the mother’s abandonment of the child, officers abided by the father’s wishes to keep the child with him. Father and son are together at Dilley.

Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administration’s immigration enforcement. Parents can take control of their departure and receive a free flight and $2,600 with the CBP Home app.

By leaving out key context, Democrats are intentionally stoking unrest and endangering federal agents.

Rather than making an honest case for their policies, they rely on half‑truths and outright lies.

Thankfully, the American people see through their shameless gaslighting. pic.twitter.com/7c6eGqriWG

— Rep. Eli Crane (@RepEliCrane) January 22, 2026