5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos and Father Released from ICE Facility, Return to Minnesota

The boy and his father, who were detained in Minnesota and held in Texas, have been released following a judge's order.

Published on Feb. 1, 2026

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Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, 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

This case has drawn outrage over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, with concerns raised about the trauma inflicted on children. It highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the treatment of undocumented families.

The details

Liam and his father, who is originally from Ecuador, were detained in a Minneapolis suburb on January 20 and taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas. A judge ordered their release, and they were escorted home to Minnesota by Rep. Joaquin Castro. The Department of Homeland Security claims the father fled on foot and left the boy in a running vehicle, but neighbors and school officials say federal agents used the child as "bait" to get the mother to answer the door.

  • On January 20, Liam and his father were detained in a Minneapolis suburb.
  • They were taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
  • On Saturday night, Rep. Joaquin Castro picked them up from Dilley and escorted them home to Minnesota on Sunday.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was detained by immigration officers in Minnesota and held at an ICE facility in Texas.

Adrian Conejo Arias

Liam's father, who is originally from Ecuador and was detained along with his son.

Rep. Joaquin Castro

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

Tricia McLaughlin

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary who stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not target or arrest Liam Conejo Ramos, and that his mother refused to take him after his father's apprehension.

Judge Fred Biery

The U.S. District Judge who granted the release of Liam and his father, and criticized the Trump administration's "ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented" pursuit of deportation quotas.

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What they’re saying

“The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”

— Judge Fred Biery, U.S. District Judge

“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.”

— Rep. Joaquin Castro (Social media)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Adrian Conejo Arias to remain in the U.S. while his asylum claim is pending.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the treatment of undocumented families, with concerns raised about the trauma inflicted on children. It underscores the need for a more humane and compassionate approach to immigration enforcement.