By Micah Jonah
February 1, 2026
A federal judge in the United States has ordered the immediate release of a five year old boy and his father from an immigration detention facility in Texas, condemning their arrest as unlawful, sharply criticizing the conduct of federal authorities.
US District Judge, Fred Biery ruled on Saturday that the detention of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, violated the law. In a strongly worded opinion, the judge said the case arose from what he described as ill conceived and incompetently implemented deportation quotas that resulted in unnecessary cruelty, including the trauma of a young child.
The case drew national attention after images circulated showing Liam being taken by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers outside his home in a Minneapolis suburb shortly after returning from preschool. The photos became a symbol of the immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In his ruling, Judge Biery said deportation decisions should follow an orderly and humane process rather than policies that inflict harm on children and families. While acknowledging that the family could eventually be deported under US immigration law, he said such outcomes must respect basic human dignity.
Federal officials have said the Minnesota operation is the largest immigration enforcement action ever carried out in the state, involving about 3,000 agents. The surge has sparked daily protests, clashes between activists and officers, and widespread criticism from civil rights groups.
Local school officials said Liam was one of at least four students detained during immigration raids in the area this month. The government has denied claims that the child was used to lure other family members outside, insisting officers acted to ensure his safety.
The Trump administration says Conejo Arias entered the United States illegally in December 2024 from Ecuador. However, the family’s lawyer maintains they have an active asylum claim that legally permits them to remain in the country while their case is reviewed.
After their arrest, the father and son were transferred to a detention centre in Dilley, Texas. Advocacy groups and visiting lawmakers have raised concerns about poor conditions at the facility, including illness, malnutrition and a growing number of detained children.
Judge Biery’s opinion included biblical references and historical comparisons, accusing the government of betraying core American values and echoing abuses once condemned in the Declaration of Independence.
There was no immediate response from the Department of Justice or the Department of Homeland Security. The family’s legal team said the ruling will allow the boy and his father to reunite with their relatives and begin recovering from what they described as a deeply traumatic experience.
