Federal Officials Deny Expediting Deportation of 5-Year-Old Boy

Family's lawyer claims government is trying to speed up removal proceedings, but DHS says it's a "regular" process

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Federal authorities have denied attempting to expedite an end to asylum claims by the family of a 5-year-old boy who was detained with his father during an immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis area. The boy's lawyer claims the government is trying to speed up the deportation proceedings, but the Department of Homeland Security says the case is following "regular removal proceedings" and denies any "retaliatory" actions.

Why it matters

The detention of the 5-year-old boy has stirred outrage over the Trump administration's immigration crackdown, raising concerns about the treatment of children and the use of aggressive tactics by federal agents. The government's denial of expediting the deportation proceedings is an attempt to quell the controversy, but the family's lawyer's claims suggest there may be more to the story.

The details

Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old boy, was detained with his father Adrian Conejo Arias, who is originally from Ecuador, in a Minneapolis suburb on January 20. A judge later ordered them released from a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and they returned to Minnesota on February 1. The family's lawyer, Danielle Molliver, told the New York Times that the government was attempting to speed up the deportation proceedings, calling the actions "extraordinary" and possibly "retaliatory." However, Department of Homeland Security official Tricia McLaughlin denied this, stating that the case is following "regular removal proceedings" and that "there is nothing retaliatory about enforcing the nation's immigration laws."

  • Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias were detained in a Minneapolis suburb on January 20, 2026.
  • A judge ordered them released from a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and they returned to Minnesota on February 1, 2026.
  • An immigration judge, during a closed hearing on Friday, gave the family's lawyer additional time to argue their case.
  • The family's next hearing is scheduled for this Friday.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was detained with his father during an immigration crackdown in the Minneapolis area.

Adrian Conejo Arias

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

Danielle Molliver

The lawyer representing Liam and his father.

Tricia McLaughlin

A Department of Homeland Security official who denied that the government is attempting to expedite the deportation proceedings.

Kristen Stuenkel

A spokesperson for Liam's school district, the Columbia Heights Public Schools.

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What they’re saying

“These are regular removal proceedings. They are not in expedited removal.”

— Tricia McLaughlin, Department of Homeland Security official

“The government was attempting to speed up the deportation proceedings, calling the actions "extraordinary" and possibly "retaliatory.”

— Danielle Molliver, Lawyer for Liam and his father (New York Times)

What’s next

The family's next hearing is scheduled for this Friday, where the judge will continue to consider their asylum case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and controversies surrounding the Trump administration's immigration policies, particularly the treatment of children and the use of aggressive tactics by federal agents. The government's denial of expediting the deportation proceedings is an attempt to quell the controversy, but the family's lawyer's claims suggest there may be more to the story.