A United States District Judge ordered the immediate release of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from an ICE detention facility in Texas following their apprehension in Minnesota. US District Judge Fred Biery issued the ruling on Saturday, declaring the detention of the petitioners illegal while criticizing the imposition of cruelty within the immigration system. The case gained national attention after images of the boy being escorted by officers became a focal point in the debate over the administration's enforcement tactics.
Judge Biery’s opinion directly attributed the detention to the government’s pursuit of daily deportation quotas, suggesting the goal superseded humane treatment, according to the ruling obtained by Al Jazeera. While the judge did not specify the exact quota, White House policy advisor Stephen Miller previously indicated a target of 3,000 daily immigration arrests. This enforcement surge in Minnesota is reportedly the largest federal operation of its kind, involving approximately 3,000 agents.
The child was reportedly detained on January 20 after ICE agents allegedly used him as 'bait' to draw out family members at his home in a Minneapolis suburb. School officials noted the boy was taken from a running car in his driveway, an account the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) denied, stating an officer remained with the child for safety. Vice President JD Vance defended the tactics, acknowledging the trauma but asserting parental status does not grant immunity from law enforcement actions.
The father, Adrian Conejo Arias, reportedly arrived in the US illegally in December 2024 from Ecuador, though his counsel maintains an active asylum claim permits their legal stay. Following apprehension, the pair were transferred to a facility in Dilley, Texas, where reports from visiting politicians indicated conditions including illness and low morale among detainees. Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited the site and noted the father appeared depressed.
In his decision, Judge Biery included biblical quotes and drew parallels between the administration's actions and grievances outlined in the Declaration of Independence against King George III. The ruling suggested the government displayed ignorance of foundational American historical documents by engaging in such practices. There was no immediate official response from the Department of Justice or DHS following the order.
The family’s legal representation stated that the father and son would soon reunite with relatives, expressing relief that the family could now focus on recovery after the traumatic detention period. This judicial intervention contrasts with a separate ruling on Saturday where a federal judge declined to halt the broader immigration surge in Minnesota despite requests from state officials.
