Minnesota Preschooler and Father Released from Texas Detention, Return Home Amid Legal and Public Outcry
A federal judge's blistering order has reunited a five-year-old boy with his Minneapolis community after he and his father were held for over a week in a Texas immigration detention facility. The release of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian, follows mounting public pressure and a judicial rebuke of the government's actions.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, in an opinion filed late last week, mandated the pair's release "as soon as practicable," criticizing the pursuit of "daily deportation quotas" that traumatize children. The order capped a tumultuous saga that began when immigration agents took Liam from his suburban driveway, an image captured in a now-viral photograph of an agent holding the boy's Spider-Man backpack.
"The government's ignorance of an American historical document called the Declaration of Independence is concerning," Judge Biery wrote, drawing parallels to colonial grievances against authoritarian rule. He appended the photograph of Liam to his signed opinion, alongside references to biblical passages about children and weeping.
The case underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement under the current administration. While officials defend the actions as lawful, critics see a pattern of overly aggressive tactics that ensnare families with legal asylum claims. Liam is reportedly the fourth child from his school district detained by immigration authorities in a two-week period.
Conflicting narratives have emerged. School officials and a local pastor allege agents used Liam as "bait" to lure his pregnant mother from their home. In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security stated the child's mother "REFUSED to take custody" and that agents acted on the father's wish to keep his son with him. An ICE official denied using children as bait, stating officers cared for Liam and even bought him a meal at McDonald's.
The family's attorney, Marc Prokosch, says the Ecuadorian family entered the U.S. legally in December 2024 to seek asylum, fleeing economic turmoil. They have no apparent criminal record, according to Prokosch and Ecuadorian authorities.
Following the ruling, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated the administration may appeal, stating, "We are complying with the law every single day." Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz declared on social media, "It should not take a court order to get a toddler out of a prison."
As Liam and his father settle back into their Minnesota home, their immigration proceedings continue. Judge Biery acknowledged they may still face deportation under what he called an "arcane" system, but argued it "should occur through a more orderly and humane policy."
Voices from the Community
Michael Rodriguez, Immigration Attorney, Minneapolis: "This ruling is a vital check on executive overreach. Judge Biery's opinion highlights a systemic failure: the use of administrative warrants that lack independent judicial review. This isn't just about one boy; it's about preserving due process for everyone."
Sarah Chen, Local School Board Member: "Our entire district has been shaken. When children in our classrooms live in fear of being taken from their driveways, it affects their ability to learn and feel safe. We're relieved Liam is back, but we need policy change, not just periodic judicial intervention."
David Fletcher, Small Business Owner: "This is emotional manipulation at its worst. If the mother truly refused her child, that's a story. If ICE used a preschooler as bait, that's an outrage. The conflicting accounts from officials make it impossible to trust their version of events. It reeks of a cover-up for a brutal, failed policy."
Reverend Clara Matthews, Community Organizer: "The human cost is unbearable. We're talking about a child who stopped eating and asks for his mother. Whatever the legal arguments, our moral compass demands we treat families with dignity. This case should be a wake-up call for a more compassionate approach."