Father and Son Released from Detention After Judge’s Order

A 5-year-old boy and his father, who were apprehended by ICE during an immigration raid in Minneapolis, were released after a federal judge intervened.

Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were freed from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in Texas on Saturday and made their way back to Minnesota the following day, as reported by Texas Representative Joaquin Castro.

Arias, originally from Ecuador, and his son were detained on January 20 at the home of Arias’ parents in a suburb of Minneapolis.

Images of Liam, sporting a blue bunny hat and clutching a Spider-Man backpack while being escorted by federal agents, ignited protests against the immigration policies of the Trump administration, sparking calls for his quick release.

Community members and school officials accused federal agents of using the young child as “bait” after Arias attempted to evade capture, alleging that Liam was made to knock on the door to draw his mother outside.

However, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has denied these allegations. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that ICE did not target the boy, claiming that his mother left him in the custody of agents after Arias was arrested.

Liam and his father were held together for almost two weeks in the same facility.

In a statement, McLaughlin emphasized that the Trump Administration was committed to upholding immigration laws and would continue to detain individuals deemed to be illegally in the U.S.

Federal officials assert that Arias entered the U.S. unlawfully in December 2024, while her family’s attorney contended that she has a pending claim for refugee status that would permit her to stay in the country.

During his time in detention, Liam reportedly became “depressed” and lethargic.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery was critical in his ruling for their release, describing the government’s actions as “haphazard and incompetent,” emphasizing the unnecessary trauma inflicted on children.

Previously, Judge Biery had ruled that Liam and his father could not be expelled from the United States.

Along with his order, Biery included a photo of Liam taken by ICE and two Bible verses, reflecting a poignant sentiment: “Let the little children come to me, and do not disturb them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” and “Jesus wept.”

In a related incident, two additional children from Liam’s school in Minneapolis were also taken by ICE.