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A federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father who were detained last week in Minnesota, an incident that has intensified the already heated national debate on immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled on Monday that Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, cannot be removed or transferred while their court case proceeds. The ruling came in response to a petition filed Saturday seeking their release from the Dilley Detention Center near San Antonio, Texas.
The case has quickly captured national attention after a widely circulated photo of the young boy wearing a beanie and Spider-Man backpack sparked outrage on social media. The image has become what U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro described as “emblematic of the monstrosity of the ICE system and the detention system.”
Castro announced that he and fellow Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett plan to visit the father and son Wednesday at the detention facility, which immigration advocates have long criticized for allegedly substandard conditions. Activists have reported persistent illness among detainees and inadequate medical care at the center.
“It’s inhumane to be keeping young kids like that in that place,” Castro said in a Facebook video addressing the situation.
The circumstances of the arrest remain heavily disputed. Neighbors and school officials have alleged that federal immigration officers used the preschooler as “bait” by instructing him to knock on his home’s door to lure his mother to answer. The Department of Homeland Security has vehemently denied this account, calling it an “abject lie” and claiming instead that the father fled on foot, leaving the child alone in a running vehicle in the driveway.
When contacted by The Associated Press, DHS reiterated their version of events, emphasizing they did not target or arrest the child, but did not comment directly on the judge’s order. Ramos’ attorney, Jennifer Scarborough, has not responded to requests for comment.
The legal status of both father and son remains a central issue in the case. Federal officials maintain that the father was in the United States illegally, with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stating that the man entered the country in December 2024. However, the family’s attorney counters that he had a pending asylum claim that legally permitted him to remain in the country.
Court records show the case was filed on December 17, 2024, and has been assigned to the immigration court operating within the Dilley detention center. The child’s immigration status may prove crucial to the outcome. If the 5-year-old is not legally present in the United States, he could potentially face deportation with one or both parents.
The case unfolds against the backdrop of intensifying immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has made border security and deportations central to its policy agenda. The detention of young children has been particularly controversial, with critics arguing such practices violate human rights standards and cause lasting trauma to minors.
Meanwhile, dozens of immigrant families protested outside the Dilley facility over the weekend, calling attention to the detention of the father and son and broader concerns about family separations and conditions at immigration detention centers.
Immigration advocates have pointed to this case as highlighting systemic issues in how U.S. immigration authorities handle cases involving children, particularly in mixed-status families where members may have different legal standing in the country.
As the legal process unfolds, the case continues to draw scrutiny from lawmakers, human rights organizations, and community members concerned about the treatment of immigrant families and the welfare of children in detention.
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8 Comments
While immigration policy is a complex and sensitive issue, the detention of a 5-year-old child is deeply troubling. I hope the judge’s order leads to a swift and compassionate resolution that prioritizes the child’s safety and well-being.
This is a troubling situation. Detaining a 5-year-old child and his father is inhumane and goes against basic human rights. I hope the judge’s order leads to a swift and compassionate resolution that prioritizes the child’s well-being.
I agree completely. The welfare of the child should be the top priority here. Detention facilities are no place for a young child, especially given the reported poor conditions.
The photo of the young boy in the Spider-Man backpack is heartbreaking. This case highlights the harsh realities of the immigration detention system and the need for significant reforms. I hope this family is reunited and given the support they require.
Yes, that image has become a powerful symbol of the inhumane treatment of immigrant families. It’s crucial that we address these issues with empathy and respect for human dignity.
This case raises serious concerns about the conditions and practices within immigration detention facilities. The reported issues of illness and inadequate medical care are unacceptable, especially when children are involved. I hope this leads to much-needed reforms.
Absolutely. The well-being and basic rights of detainees, including children, must be protected. Substandard conditions are a violation of human dignity and cannot be tolerated.
While immigration enforcement is a complex and contentious issue, the detention of a young child goes too far. I’m glad the judge has intervened to prevent their immediate removal, and I hope this leads to a more humane and compassionate resolution.