Comic Artists Rally Behind Child Facing ICE Detention

Greg Pak leads #Comics4Liam initiative to support Liam Conejo Ramos and other families impacted by aggressive immigration enforcement tactics

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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After a powerful image of a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, being apprehended by ICE agents while wearing a Spider-Man backpack went viral, comic book writer Greg Pak spearheaded the #Comics4Liam initiative. The project mobilized artists to create artwork offering messages of protection, care, and hope for Liam and other families affected by ICE's actions. The success of #Comics4Liam highlights the growing intersection of art, activism, and social justice, with comics proving to be a potent medium for counter-narratives and tangible aid.

Why it matters

The #Comics4Liam initiative underscores the broader concern about the normalization of aggressive immigration enforcement tactics across the United States. While Liam has been released, ICE activity continues in Minneapolis and other cities, fueling a debate about the future of the agency and calls for its abolition rather than reform.

The details

Greg Pak, a veteran comic writer, recognized the symbolic weight of the image of Liam, a child with a Spider-Man backpack, being apprehended by ICE agents. Pak, along with the collective Comics Action, quickly mobilized artists to create artwork offering messages of protection, care, and hope for Liam and other families impacted by ICE's actions. The initiative's success highlights the growing trend of artists using their platforms to address pressing social issues, with comics proving to be a particularly potent medium for counter-narratives and tangible aid.

  • The image of Liam Conejo Ramos being apprehended by ICE agents went viral in February 2026.
  • Greg Pak and Comics Action launched the #Comics4Liam initiative shortly after the image surfaced.

The players

Greg Pak

A veteran comic writer known for his work on Hulk, Star Wars, and X-Men, who spearheaded the #Comics4Liam initiative.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was apprehended by ICE agents in Minneapolis while wearing a Spider-Man backpack, sparking outrage and the #Comics4Liam initiative.

Comics Action

A collective of comic book artists and creators who collaborated with Greg Pak on the #Comics4Liam project.

Trung Le Nguyen

An artist who contributed to the #Comics4Liam initiative, creating artwork offering messages of protection, care, and hope for Liam and other families.

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

The federal agency responsible for the apprehension of Liam Conejo Ramos, which has faced growing criticism and calls for its abolition.

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What they’re saying

“When I saw that backpack of Spider-Man on that kid's shoulders, I felt an enormous responsibility.”

— Greg Pak, Comic Writer (newsy-today.com)

“It's about so many, many people coming together and saying no. It's about each of us deciding there's something we can do.”

— Greg Pak, Comic Writer (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The #Comics4Liam initiative continues to raise funds and awareness to support Liam Conejo Ramos and other families affected by ICE's actions. The campaign is also advocating for the abolition of ICE, arguing that the agency cannot be reformed.

The takeaway

The success of the #Comics4Liam initiative demonstrates the power of art and collective action in addressing pressing social issues. By leveraging the visual storytelling capabilities of comics, artists are able to counter dominant narratives, offer messages of hope, and mobilize tangible support for impacted communities.