5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos and Father Released from Texas Detention Facility

The pair have returned to Minnesota after being detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis suburb.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 3:47pm

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Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, who were detained by immigration officers in Minnesota and held at an ICE facility in Texas, have been released following a judge's order. They have returned to Minnesota, according to Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro.

Why it matters

The detention of the young boy and his father drew outrage over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown tactics, with allegations that federal agents used the child as 'bait' to apprehend the family. The release of the pair highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and the treatment of immigrant families.

The details

Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained on January 20 in a Minneapolis suburb. They were then taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas. After a judge's order, Castro picked them up from the Texas facility on Saturday night and escorted them back to Minnesota on Sunday.

  • Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained on January 20 in Minnesota.
  • They were transported to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
  • On Saturday night, Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro picked them up from the Texas facility.
  • Castro escorted the pair back to Minnesota on Sunday.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was detained by immigration officers in Minnesota along with his father.

Joaquin Castro

A Texas congressman who picked up Liam and his father from the detention facility in Texas and escorted them back to Minnesota.

Amy Klobuchar

A U.S. Senator from Minnesota who welcomed Liam back to the state, saying he 'should be in school and with family - not in detention.'

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What they’re saying

“Your family, school and many strangers said prayers for you and offered whatever they could do to see you back home. Don't let anyone tell you this isn't your home. America became the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth because of immigrants not in spite of them.”

— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative (Social media)

“Liam should be in school and with family - not in detention. Now ICE needs to leave.”

— Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator (Social media)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment on the father and son's release.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debates over immigration enforcement tactics and the treatment of immigrant families, especially the use of children as 'bait' to apprehend parents. It also underscores the importance of due process and keeping families together, even in the face of strict immigration policies.