DOJ Weighs Appeal in Case of 5-Year-Old Released from ICE Custody, Spotlighting Trump's Detention Policies
The Department of Justice is preparing a potential appeal that could return a five-year-old boy to immigration custody, following a federal judge's scathing rebuke of the government's detention practices. The case of Liam Conejo Ramos has become a focal point in the escalating national debate over the Trump administration's expanded deportation strategy.
Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota last month. A photograph of the boy standing in the snow wearing a blue bunny-eared hat as his father was taken into custody circulated widely, symbolizing what critics call the human cost of the administration's policies. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered their release from a Texas detention facility this past weekend, condemning the use of "administrative warrants" issued by ICE itself as a constitutional overreach.
"Civics lesson to the government: administrative warrants issued by the executive branch to itself do not pass probable cause muster. This is called the fox guarding the henhouse," Judge Biery wrote in his decision. The Clinton-appointed judge argued the Constitution requires review by an independent judicial officer.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche signaled a likely appeal in a Sunday interview, defending the distinct legal framework governing immigration proceedings. "The immigration law... is much different than our typical criminal process because of the administrative nature of what we do every day," Blanche told ABC News. He also cited a "meaningful dispute" over whether the family had properly applied for asylum.
The legal maneuvering unfolds against a stark statistical backdrop. An analysis by The Marshall Project's Deportation Data Project indicates the average daily population of children in ICE custody has surged more than sixfold since the start of President Trump's second term, compared to the final months of the Biden administration.
Advocates report deteriorating conditions within facilities like the Dilley Detention Center in Texas, where Liam and his father were held. Accounts from insiders and families describe contaminated food, inadequate medical care, and limited access to clean water. The family's detention coincided with a measles outbreak at the facility, during which Liam fell ill with fever and vomiting. "We asked for medication, but we were told they didn't have any," Adrian Conejo Arias recounted.
"The explicit goal of this administration... is really to put pressure on these families to give up their case and to agree to go home," said Javier Hidalgo, legal director of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES).
The White House has not commented on the specific case. President Trump has consistently defended his approach, stating he possesses a mandate to remove illegal immigrants and reverse what he describes as lax policies under his predecessor.
Voices from the Public
Michael Rodriguez, Immigration Attorney, Chicago: "Judge Biery's ruling is a vital check on executive power. Using administrative warrants to bypass judicial review sets a dangerous precedent for all residents, not just immigrants. The DOJ's planned appeal shows a troubling disregard for fundamental due process."
Sarah Chen, Policy Analyst, Center for Migration Studies: "This case highlights the systemic issue of detaining families and young children, a practice shown to cause lasting trauma. The spike in detained children is a policy choice, not an inevitability. We need solutions that respect both law and human dignity."
David Fletcher, Small Business Owner, Ohio: "This is an absolute disgrace. We're talking about a little kid in a bunny hat! Since when did America become a place where we lock up sick children to score political points? The conditions described are inhumane, full stop. It's a brutal tactic designed to terrify people into leaving, and it stains our national character."
Patricia Wells, Retired Teacher, Arizona: "While the image is heart-wrenching, we cannot ignore the rule of law. The administration is correct to enforce immigration statutes, and the appeals process exists for a reason. The focus should be on fixing a broken asylum system that encourages these perilous journeys, not on vilifying enforcement."