Podcast Summary

Podcast: Apple News Today
Host: Shemita Basu
Episode: How a 5-year-old boy got caught up in the ICE crackdown
Date: January 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode confronts the controversial detention of a 5-year-old, Liam Conejo Ramos, amid an intensified ICE crackdown in Minneapolis. Host Shemita Basu guides listeners through the incident, its legal and emotional consequences, and the wider impact on local communities. The episode also pivots to the dramatic drop in U.S. crime rates and spotlights the new Oscars record set by the film "Sinners." Other notable news stories round out the episode.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. ICE Detains a 5-Year-Old in Minneapolis

• Incident Summary:

  • ICE detained several children, including 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, during an arrest operation targeting his father (00:23).
  • Viral image: Liam wearing a blue winter hat and Spiderman backpack as he’s escorted by ICE agents (00:23).
  • Witness account by Mary Granlund, board chair of Columbia Heights Public Schools, underscores the trauma and chaos witnessed during the incident (01:32).

• Disputed Accounts:

  • Mary Granlund, Local Official:
    • Describes the chaotic scene, suggesting there were adults, including herself, ready to safely take the child (01:32).
    • “What are you doing? Don't take the child. There was ample opportunity to be able to safely hand that child off to adults. And mom was there, she saw out the window and dad was yelling, please do not open the door, don't open the door.” (01:32)
  • DHS Spokesperson (paraphrased by Basu):
    • Claims father fled, left Liam in the vehicle; mother refused to take the child; father wanted Liam to stay with him (01:49).

• Legal Context:

  • The family, originally from Ecuador, claims to be following asylum protocol after presenting themselves at the border, posing no flight risk — emphasized by their lawyer Mark Procush (02:33).
    • Quote: “They did everything right when they came in. They've shared all of their information... just trying to secure safety and persecution for their family from their home country.” – Mark Procush (02:33)

• Wider Impact:

  • DHS says Liam and his father are detained together in Texas, but AP reports cite children at the facility suffering from malnourishment and extended detention times (02:46).

• Political Response:

  • Vice President J.D. Vance defends ICE, arguing law enforcement cannot offer immunity due to parenthood (03:25).
    • Quote: “Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?... That doesn't make any sense. No one thinks that makes any sense.” – J.D. Vance (03:25)

2. Community and School Impact

• Disruption and Trauma:

  • Elizabeth Shockman (NPR News) reports high absentee rates (20-40%) in schools, citing students’ and families’ fear of enforcement actions (03:58).
    • Quote: “In some cases, these are citizens who are afraid to attend school. So it is having a pretty profound effect... Families are afraid to leave their homes, go shopping, or go to work.” – Elizabeth Shockman (03:58)

• Community Response:

  • Parents set up patrols at schools and daycares, organize food and supply donations for affected families (04:37).
    • Quote: “When I walked into this Columbia Heights elementary school yesterday, the entrance was filled with food and diapers... a pretty big response of people wanting to protect each other.” – Elizabeth Shockman (04:37)

• Local Protest:

  • A general strike is called across Minnesota in protest of federal immigration enforcement, gaining union and faith leader support (05:07).

3. Significant Drop in U.S. Crime Rates

• Current Trends:

  • Violent crime rates have declined nationwide, in both Democratic and Republican-led cities; 2025 will be remembered as one of the safest years for major U.S. cities (05:42).

• Potential Causes:

  • Henry Grabar (The Atlantic) attributes the change to post-pandemic federal funding via the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which allowed cities to invest in public safety, infrastructure, and social programs (07:03).

    • Quote: “There was an enormous amount of federal funding... invest not just in public safety programs, but also in community infrastructure and housing... a sizable effect on community well-being.” – Henry Grabar (07:03)

  • Notably, police departments remain understaffed, suggesting that the drop in crime rates is not just due to better policing (07:49).

• Examples:

  • Baltimore’s mayor credits ARPA-funded “violence interrupter” programs and increased spending on housing as key drivers of lower homicides (08:11).
    • Quote: “The police alone cannot be responsible for the crime rate in this city.” – Henry Grabar, relaying Baltimore mayor’s view (08:11)

• Future Concerns:

  • With ARPA funds expiring and new federal budget cuts, there’s uncertainty if current crime rates can be maintained (08:46).
    • Quote: “What’s not coming back is this Biden level of stimulus funding... we might expect [crime] to reverse as this funding dries up.” – Henry Grabar (08:46)

4. Oscars Record and Film Trends

• “Sinners” Sets Nomination Record:

  • The horror-southern gothic film "Sinners" received 16 Oscar nominations, a new record (09:28).
  • Notable nominees include Michael B. Jordan, Delroy Lindo, Wunmi Mosako, and costume designer Ruth E. Carter (09:44, 10:29).

• Diversity and Significance:

  • First time for many Black artists and women of color to receive nominations in key categories (10:29).

    • Quote: “This is a horror movie, a period piece. It produced the most Black artists from a single film nominated for an Oscar: 10 across all categories.” – Clayton Davis (10:09)
    • Autumn Derald Arkhipa: first woman of color nominee for Cinematography.

  • Recognition for original filmmaking in an IP-driven industry, per Clayton Davis (11:00).

• Oscar Race Outlook:

  • While “Sinners” leads in nominations, previous films with high nominations haven’t always swept wins (11:29).
  • Roles highlighted: Wagner Mora in “The Secret Agent” (international disadvantage noted), Jessie Buckley in “Hamnet” (considered a “lock” for Best Actress; 12:18).
    • Quote: “Jessie Buckley in Hamnet. When I watched her, it was one of those moments that I said, this is an old timer.” – Clayton Davis (12:18)

• Warner Brothers at a Crossroads:

  • Warner Brothers, distributor of the top two Oscar-nominated films, faces an ownership struggle between Netflix and Paramount (12:52, 13:14).

5. Quick News Hits

• Jack Smith Testimony:

  • The former special prosecutor defends his decisions to prosecute Trump in Congress (13:51).
    • Quote: “President Trump was charged because the evidence established that he willfully broke the law.” – J.D. Vance quoting Jack Smith (13:51)

• TikTok in the U.S.:

  • TikTok’s legal saga ends as it forms a U.S.-based joint venture with oversight by Oracle; ByteDance retains partial ownership (14:15).

• Upcoming Content:

  • Teaser for an interview with Elizabeth Kolbert about new efforts to use AI to communicate with sperm whales (15:21).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mary Granlund on the ICE Detention:

  • “And as I got out of my car and came around the corner, I heard, what are you doing? Don't take the child. And there was ample opportunity to be able to safely hand that child off to adults.” (01:32)

• J.D. Vance, on ICE Enforcement:

  • “Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America? ...That doesn't make any sense. No one thinks that makes any sense.” (03:25)

• Elizabeth Shockman, on Community Response:

  • “Parents setting up patrols for their daycares, for their schools, at arrivals and dismissals, people delivering food... entrance was filled with food and diapers from people who are trying to make sure that their neighbors get fed.” (04:37)

• Henry Grabar, on Crime Decline:

  • “There was an enormous amount of federal funding sent to cities and towns over the post pandemic period... I think that has probably had a sizable effect on community well being.” (07:03)

• Clayton Davis, on Oscars Diversity:

  • “It produced the most black artists from a single film nominated for an Oscar — 10 across all categories.” (10:09)

• Clayton Davis, on Best Actress Favorite:

  • “Jessie Buckley in Hamnet. When I watched her, it was one of those moments that I said, this is an old timer.” (12:18)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• ICE detains 5-year-old, community response: 00:05 – 05:07
• Crime decline in U.S. cities, policy analysis: 05:42 – 08:46
• Oscars record for “Sinners”, diversity milestone: 09:28 – 12:52
• Other news highlights (Jack Smith, TikTok, whale AI): 13:14 – 15:40

Conclusion

This episode expertly weaves together a controversial immigration enforcement incident, the community’s response, high-level policy analysis on historically low crime rates, and a celebration of diversity and achievement in the arts. The speakers' voices convey urgency, empathy, and a broad perspective on the state of American society in early 2026.