Minneapolis School Principal Reunites Detained Students with Families

Valley View Elementary's Jason Kuhlman goes to extraordinary lengths to support immigrant families impacted by ICE raids.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 9:39am

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Jason Kuhlman, the principal of Valley View Elementary in suburban Columbia Heights, Minnesota, has faced a series of harrowing incidents where ICE agents have detained students and their families from his school. In one case, Kuhlman had to personally drive two young brothers to an immigration detention center after their mother was arrested, an experience he describes as the worst day of his nearly 30-year career in education. However, Kuhlman was later able to reunite the family after the mother and sons were released, picking them up on a random residential street miles from their home.

Why it matters

The story highlights the devastating impact of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics on immigrant communities and the children in them, as well as the extraordinary efforts school leaders like Kuhlman are making to support and protect their students in the face of these challenges. It also demonstrates the resilience of the affected families, who remain committed to their children's education despite the trauma they have endured.

The details

In multiple incidents, ICE agents have detained students from Valley View Elementary and their parents. This includes the high-profile case of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was photographed being detained outside his home. In another case, Kuhlman had to personally drive two young brothers to an immigration detention center after their mother was arrested, an experience he describes as the worst day of his career. However, Kuhlman was later able to reunite the family after the mother and sons were released, picking them up on a random residential street miles from their home.

  • On January 29, Kuhlman had to drive two young brothers to an immigration detention center after their mother was arrested.
  • On January 20, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained by ICE as he arrived home from school.

The players

Jason Kuhlman

The principal of Valley View Elementary in suburban Columbia Heights, Minnesota, who has gone to extraordinary lengths to support immigrant families impacted by ICE raids on his students.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old pre-schooler at Valley View Elementary who was detained by ICE as he arrived home from school, becoming a symbol of the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.

Kevin Centeno

A full-service community school coordinator who accompanied Kuhlman to reunite the detained students with their family.

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What they’re saying

“She was ready for war. We're like, 'No, no, no, no, I'm from the school, I'm here to pick them up. I'm helping them, we're not ICE.'”

— Jason Kuhlman, Principal, Valley View Elementary

“They were pretty strong. They weren't crying. We were more upset than they were.”

— Jason Kuhlman, Principal, Valley View Elementary

What’s next

The mother and her sons still face legal jeopardy as their asylum case is resolved, and Kuhlman is working to arrange legal assistance for other Valley View students and families who have been impacted by ICE raids.

The takeaway

This story underscores the devastating human toll of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics on immigrant communities, as well as the resilience and commitment to education shown by affected families. It also highlights the extraordinary efforts of school leaders like Kuhlman to support and protect their students in the face of these challenges.