Family Traumatized After 5-Year-Old's Viral ICE Detainment

Liam Conejo Ramos' parents say he continues to live with fear and anxiety after being detained by immigration agents in front of his home.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:48am

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A solitary young boy sits alone on the front steps of a modest suburban home, his face obscured in shadow as warm sunlight streams across the scene, creating a cinematic, melancholy mood that reflects the emotional toll of his family's recent immigration ordeal.A young boy's traumatic encounter with immigration enforcement casts a long shadow over his family's suburban home.Brownsville Today

The parents of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos say their son has been deeply traumatized since he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in January 2026 as he and his father returned home from preschool. The incident, which went viral and sparked outrage, has left Liam hypervigilant and fearful of law enforcement, according to his mother Erika Ramos. The family, who entered the U.S. legally as asylum seekers in 2024, is now navigating how to care for Liam's mental health as he continues to struggle with the aftermath of the detainment.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement tactics and their impact on families, especially children. The viral video of Liam's detainment brought renewed attention to concerns about the trauma inflicted on minors during such encounters. It also raises questions about the Biden administration's immigration policies and the treatment of asylum seekers.

The details

In January 2026, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrián Conejo Arias were detained by ICE agents in the family's driveway as they returned home from preschool. Liam, still wearing his backpack and a hat with bunny ears, was separated from his father and both were flown to a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, where they spent nearly two weeks before a judge ordered their release.

  • On January 20, 2026, Liam and his father were detained by ICE agents in their driveway.
  • Liam and his father were held at a family detention center in Dilley, Texas for nearly two weeks.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was detained by ICE agents in front of his home in January 2026, an incident that went viral and sparked outrage.

Adrián Conejo Arias

Liam's father, who was also detained alongside his son by ICE agents in their driveway.

Erika Ramos

Liam's mother, who says her son has been deeply traumatized by the incident and now lives in fear of law enforcement.

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What they’re saying

“As parents, it worries us a lot that he's no longer as he was before and we're worried this could last a long time. It does worry us that this will not heal quickly.”

— Adrián Conejo Arias, Liam's father

“My boy is very different.”

— Erika Ramos, Liam's mother

“He sees police officers, and he says, 'It's ICE, Mommy,'”

— Erika Ramos, Liam's mother

What’s next

Liam and his family continue to seek mental health support and counseling to help him cope with the trauma of the detainment. The family's attorneys are also monitoring the Biden administration's immigration policies and enforcement tactics to ensure the protection of asylum seekers.

The takeaway

This case underscores the lasting psychological impact that immigration enforcement actions can have on children, even when families have entered the country legally. It highlights the need for more compassionate and trauma-informed approaches when dealing with minors in such sensitive situations.