U.S. Seeks to Expedite Deportation of 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos

Lawyers for the federal government have filed a motion to quickly deport the boy and his father, who are seeking asylum.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The U.S. government has filed a motion to expedite the deportation of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, who are seeking asylum after entering the country legally through a humanitarian program. Liam's detention last month in Minnesota prompted outrage, and a federal judge had ordered their release, denouncing the detention as "the imposition of cruelty." However, the government is now seeking to quickly deport the family, a common tactic against asylum seekers.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with the government increasingly seeking to expedite the deportation of asylum seekers without full hearings. The detention and potential deportation of a young child like Liam has drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the treatment of immigrant families.

The details

Lawyers for the federal government have filed a motion to expedite the deportation of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old boy who was detained last month in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation along with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias. The family had legally entered the U.S. through a humanitarian program, but the Department of Homeland Security charged that Mr. Conejo Arias had entered the country illegally. A federal judge had previously ordered Liam and his father's release, denouncing their detention as "the imposition of cruelty." However, the government is now seeking to quickly deport the family, a tactic that has become common against asylum seekers.

  • Liam and his father were detained last month in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation.
  • A federal judge ordered Liam and his father's release less than a week ago.
  • The government has now filed a motion to expedite the deportation of Liam and his father.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy from Ecuador who was detained last month in Minneapolis along with his father while seeking asylum in the United States.

Adrian Conejo Arias

Liam's father, who was also detained last month in Minneapolis while seeking asylum in the United States with his son.

Danielle Molliver

The immigration lawyer representing Liam and his father.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that charged Mr. Conejo Arias with illegally entering the country, despite the family's legal entry through a humanitarian program.

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What they’re saying

“Their deportation could happen in a matter of weeks.”

— Danielle Molliver, Immigration lawyer (New York Times)

“They are moving very fast.”

— Danielle Molliver, Immigration lawyer (New York Times)

“the imposition of cruelty.”

— Federal judge (New York Times)

What’s next

A hearing in the case is set for later on Friday, and Ms. Molliver said she planned to request more time to plead the asylum case for Liam and his father.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing immigration crackdown under the Trump administration, with the government increasingly seeking to expedite the deportation of asylum seekers without full hearings. The detention and potential deportation of a young child like Liam has drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns about the treatment of immigrant families seeking refuge in the United States.