A 5-year-old boy from Minneapolis, Liam Conejo Ramos, who went viral after being detained by ICE agents, has finally returned home with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, after a two-week ordeal in a Texas detention center that sparked national outrage.
A Viral Arrest and Public Backlash
The incident began on January 20, when ICE agents approached the family’s home and detained Adrian and Liam in their driveway shortly after Liam returned from preschool. Shockingly, officers allegedly asked the child to knock on the door to see if anyone else was inside—an act described by local educators as “using a 5-year-old as bait.”
The case went viral, drawing sharp criticism from legal experts, educators, and political leaders, especially after video footage emerged showing the arrest.
A Judge Orders Their Release
On February 1, Federal Judge Fred Biery of Texas ordered the immediate release of the father and son from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, calling the government’s actions “ill-conceived,” “traumatizing,” and lacking basic human decency.
In his strongly worded decision, Judge Biery wrote that the government’s focus on daily deportation quotas seemed to override compassion and legal fairness. He even accused authorities of ignoring the spirit of the Declaration of Independence and acting “bereft of human decency.”
Health Concerns Inside the Facility
While in detention, Liam fell ill, according to school officials and his mother. He suffered from:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Lack of appetite
Educators from Liam’s Columbia Heights Public Schools expressed deep concern for his condition, with Superintendent Zena Stenvik stating that he wasn’t doing well and was clearly affected emotionally and physically by the detention.
Political and Public Reaction
- Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro visited the detention center and later posted on X that Liam was emotionally distressed, sleeping often, and showing signs of depression.
- Liam’s mother, Erika Ramos, described the food and conditions as poor, saying it was making him sick.
- Educators, legal advocates, and human rights groups expressed outrage, stressing that the family was following the law and actively seeking asylum with no deportation order against them.
ICE’s Side of the Story
The Department of Homeland Security released a statement saying ICE was not targeting the child and claimed Adrian ran from agents, leaving the child behind—something the family’s lawyer has strongly disputed.
ICE added that its policy is to ask parents whether they want their children to accompany them during detainment. However, many critics argue that this policy still leads to traumatizing experiences for families, especially young children.
Back Home in Minneapolis
On February 1, Adrian and Liam flew back to Minnesota, where they were welcomed home. In an emotional moment captured by ABC News, Adrian carried his sleeping son onto the aircraft, telling reporters:
“I’m happy to finally be going home.”
Their legal fight is not over, but for now, they are free—reunited with family and back in their community.
