5-Year-Old Liam and Father Released from ICE Detention

Young Boy and Father Return to Minnesota After Court Order

Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias have been released from an ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas, following a federal judge's order that criticized the Trump administration's immigration enforcement tactics. The father and son, originally from Ecuador, were detained in a Minneapolis suburb on January 20, 2026, and transferred to Texas before their release.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a scathing rebuke of the government's actions, stating the case stemmed from 'ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas' that traumatizes children. The judge's order came after widespread public outrage over images showing Liam wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack surrounded by immigration officers.

Controversial Arrest Sparks National Debate

The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate about immigration enforcement in the United States. According to neighbors and school officials, immigration agents allegedly used the preschooler as 'bait' to get his mother to answer the door. The Department of Homeland Security has denied these claims, stating instead that the father abandoned the child when he tried to flee.

Texas Representative Joaquin Castro personally escorted the family back to Minnesota and documented their release on social media. In a heartfelt letter to Liam, Castro wrote: 'You have moved the world. Your family, school, and many strangers have prayed for you and offered everything they could to get you home again.'

ICE Under Scrutiny

The incident comes amid growing controversy surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which was created in 2003 following the 9/11 attacks. Under President Trump, the agency has seen significant expansion, with its budget growing to approximately $9.13 billion in 2025 according to Wikipedia.

ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) division, responsible for apprehension and deportation of undocumented immigrants, has faced particular criticism for its tactics. The agency employs over 21,800 personnel and operates through more than 400 offices worldwide.

Nationwide Protests Continue

The release comes as nationwide anti-ICE protests continue across the United States. On January 30, 2026, massive demonstrations occurred in Minneapolis and other cities, with protesters chanting 'ICE Out' and calling for a 'National Shutdown' according to CNN coverage.

The protests were sparked by the fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis earlier in January. Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, and Renee Good, a mother of three, were both killed during confrontations with ICE agents.

Polling shows growing public concern about immigration enforcement tactics, with 61% of voters believing ICE tactics had 'gone too far' according to ABC News reporting.

Family's Future Uncertain

The Conejo Ramos family has a pending asylum case and fears returning to Ecuador. Their first court hearing is scheduled for later in February. As Castro emphasized in his social media post: 'Let no one tell you this is not your home. America became the most powerful and prosperous country in the world because of immigrants, not despite them.'

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement priorities and humanitarian concerns, particularly regarding the treatment of children in the immigration system.