Federal Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos and Father from ICE Detention

A federal judge has mandated the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility in Dilley, Texas. This ruling follows their detention during a controversial immigration operation in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on January 20, 2026. The judge's order requires their release by February 3, 2026, citing serious constitutional concerns regarding their treatment.

Judge orders release of 5-year-old Liam Ramos, father from detention in TexasJudge Orders Release Of 5-Year-Old From ICE Detention5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, father ordered released from immigration detention centerJudge Releases 5-Year-Old, Father from Immigration Detention: ReportsJudge orders release of 5-year-old and his father from immigration detentionJudge orders 5-year-old detained in Minnesota and dad to be released from ICE detention in Texas

Liam and his father were apprehended by ICE shortly after Liam returned home from preschool. Images of the boy, wearing a blue bunny hat and a Spider-Man backpack while surrounded by federal agents, sparked widespread outrage and protests. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies in his ruling, stating, "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." He emphasized that such actions echo grievances noted in the Declaration of Independence.

Judge Orders Release of Father and 5-Year-Old from ICE Detention

The family's attorney asserts that Liam and his father entered the U.S. legally in December 2024 while seeking asylum. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims they overstayed their immigration parole. The incident has drawn attention to the broader implications of the Trump administration's immigration enforcement strategies, particularly the use of quotas that have led to increased detentions.

Judge orders 5-year-old detained in Minnesota and dad to be released from ICE detention in Texas

Judge Biery's ruling included a scathing critique of the government's actions, stating, "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency." The judge also highlighted the need for due process, asserting that administrative warrants issued by the executive branch do not meet probable cause standards. The family’s legal team expressed gratitude for the court's decision, stating they are working to ensure a safe reunion.

Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father be released from immigration detention

Critics of the detention, including U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, have voiced concerns about Liam's well-being, noting he appeared lethargic and depressed during their visit. They emphasized that the detention of children like Liam is emblematic of the inhumanity of current immigration policies. Conversely, DHS has denied allegations that agents used Liam as "bait" during the arrest, asserting that his father fled, leaving the child behind.

Democrats Call for Release of 5-Year-Old Detained by ICE

There are conflicting accounts regarding the circumstances of Liam's detention. School officials and the family's attorney claim that ICE agents used Liam to lure his mother out of the house, while DHS maintains that the father abandoned the child. This discrepancy highlights the contentious nature of immigration enforcement practices and the treatment of families in such situations.

Judge orders 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father be released from immigration detention

As the legal proceedings continue, the focus remains on the welfare of Liam and his father. The court's order for their release marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement policies in the U.S. The case has become a symbol of the broader issues surrounding the treatment of children in detention and the implications of aggressive immigration tactics.

Judge Orders ICE to Release 5-Year-Old, Dad

• "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

Judge orders release of father and 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota

• "Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds and are bereft of human decency." — Judge Fred Biery

5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, father ordered released from immigration detention center

• "We are now working closely with our clients and their family to ensure a safe and timely reunion." — Jennifer Scarborough, Family Attorney

Judge orders release of father and 5-year-old detained by ICE in Minnesota

This ruling underscores the ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy and the urgent need for reform that prioritizes the rights and well-being of families and children.

Judge Orders ICE to Release 5-Year-Old, Dad