5-Year-Old Boy Separated from Father at Border, Congressman Visits Detention Facility

Rep. Joaquin Castro meets with Liam Conejo Ramos, who was taken from his family's driveway in Minnesota

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:55pm

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US Rep. Joaquin Castro met with Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old Minnesota boy who was taken from his family's suburban Minneapolis driveway last week after federal agents apprehended his father. Castro visited the South Texas facility where the pair is being held.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing controversy over family separations at the border, with critics arguing the practice is inhumane, especially when it involves young children. It also raises questions about the tactics used by federal immigration agents in detaining undocumented immigrants, even in non-border regions.

The details

According to Rep. Castro, the 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken from his family's driveway in suburban Minneapolis after federal agents apprehended his father. Castro visited the South Texas facility where Liam and his father are being held.

  • Last week, federal agents apprehended Liam's father in the family's suburban Minneapolis driveway.
  • On Wednesday, Rep. Joaquin Castro visited the South Texas facility where Liam and his father are being held.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy from Minnesota who was separated from his father by federal immigration agents.

Rep. Joaquin Castro

A US Congressman who visited the detention facility where Liam and his father are being held.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The congressman has vowed to continue pressing for the release of Liam and his father from the detention facility.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing human toll of the federal government's immigration enforcement policies, with young children being separated from their parents in the process. It underscores the need for comprehensive immigration reform that balances security concerns with compassion for families.