Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old Boy and Father from ICE Detention

A federal judge in Texas ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos, from an immigration detention center on Saturday. The two were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents earlier this month in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a major operation targeting immigrants. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery granted an emergency request from the family's lawyer and said the government must let them go as soon as possible, but no later than Tuesday, February 3.

Background

Liam and his father are from Ecuador. They came to the United States in 2024 using a system that let asylum seekers schedule appointments at the border through a phone app. That program no longer exists. The family settled in the Minneapolis area, where Liam attended school in Columbia Heights. He was 5 years old and wore a blue bunny hat and carried his school backpack when agents took him.

The detention happened on January 20 amid a big push by federal agents in the Minneapolis area. Thousands of ICE and Border Patrol officers were sent there by the Trump administration as part of a crackdown on immigration violations. Local leaders in Minnesota have spoken out against the operation. Protests grew after federal officers killed two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in the area. Those deaths added to the anger over the agents' presence.

School officials in Columbia Heights said ICE agents used Liam as bait to get family members to come out of their home. Agents went to the family's house looking for the father. When he did not answer, they took Liam from a vehicle. Department of Homeland Security officials said the father tried to run from officers and left the boy behind. They also said officers asked Liam's mother to take him, but she did not open the door. People close to the family say she was afraid she would be arrested too.

After the arrest, Liam and his father were moved to the Dilley ICE detention center in Texas. This facility holds families with children facing immigration charges. Two other children from Liam's school have also been taken into ICE custody since then.

Key Details

Judge Biery's order stops ICE from deporting or moving Liam and his father while their legal case goes on. They have pending cases in immigration court, so they cannot be sent back to Ecuador until a judge hears their full story. The father's lawyer says he has no criminal record. DHS has not said anything different.

In his written decision, the judge called the detention part of a poorly planned effort by the government to meet deportation goals, even if it hurts children. He mentioned the Declaration of Independence and said the government seems to ignore it.

Family's Time in Detention

Liam has been very upset since arriving at Dilley. He has not eaten much and seems depressed, according to people who spoke with his father. Protests happened outside the center. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from San Antonio, visited them there. He met with the father and son for about 30 minutes.

"Liam was very depressed and hasn’t been eating well since he was detained in Dilley." – U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, quoting Liam's father

Castro and other Democrats, like Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Greg Casar, asked DHS to release the pair earlier in the week. Castro said he would keep working to make sure Liam is safe. He thanked people across the country for speaking up.

The judge told ICE to notify the family's lawyer at least two hours before release and file a report to confirm it happens. The court plans to close the case after this.

What This Means

This ruling lets Liam and his father leave detention and rejoin family members soon. Their lawyer said the group is already planning a safe reunion. It gives them time to deal with their immigration cases outside of jail. The mother has described her fear when agents came to the door. She called out to Liam but stayed inside, worried about arrest.

The decision highlights issues with how ICE handles families, especially children. It comes during a time of heavy enforcement in places like Minneapolis. White House border official Tom Homan has talked about pulling back agents from there if local leaders help ICE more. Earlier, the judge blocked any quick deportation or transfer of the pair.

DHS oversees ICE but has not commented on the order yet. The release could ease some pressure from protests at Dilley and in Minnesota. It also points to ongoing debates over asylum rules and detention for kids. Liam's story has drawn attention nationwide because of a photo of him in his bunny hat. That image showed up in the judge's ruling and spread widely.

Lawyers for the family say this is a step toward peace after a hard time. They expect the two to be out by the deadline. Community support has grown, with calls from lawmakers on both sides in some cases. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Republican from San Antonio, has been asked for his thoughts but has not responded yet.

The broader operation in Minneapolis continues, but this case shows courts stepping in when children are involved. Families like this one face uncertain futures with their court dates ahead. Reuniting now lets them prepare without bars between them.