Federal Judge Orders Release of Detained Five-Year-Old Boy and Father from ICE Custody Amid Outrage Over Minnesota Immigration Raid
A US District Judge has ruled that a five-year-old boy and his father should be released from detention in Texas, amid growing criticism over their treatment during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. The decision comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues to face mounting pressure over its handling of the immigration crackdown.
The case centers around Liam Conejo Ramos, who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a raid in a suburb of Minneapolis on January 20th. Photographs of the boy, clad in a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, became an emotive symbol of the controversy surrounding the operation.
Judge Fred Biery ruled that Liam's detention was "illegal" and condemned what he described as a "perfidious lust for unbridled power" and "the imposition of cruelty" by certain individuals. The judge noted that the boy's family had an active asylum claim, which allows them to remain in the country legally.
The raid has sparked widespread protests and demonstrations across Minnesota, with activists calling on the Trump administration to end its immigration crackdown in the state. The deadly operation has also led to the killings of two American citizens by federal agents, prompting outrage from local authorities.
Liam was sent to a facility in Dilley, Texas, after his detention, where advocacy groups have reported deplorable conditions, including illnesses and malnourishment among detained children. Texas Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited the site earlier this week, with Liam reportedly sleeping throughout their 30-minute visit.
The judge's ruling has been welcomed by the family's lawyer, who said that the pair will soon be able to reunite with their family members. "We are pleased that the family will now be able to focus on being together and finding some peace after this traumatic ordeal," a statement from the Law Firm of Jennifer Scarborough read.
The Trump administration has faced criticism over its handling of immigration enforcement, with some lawmakers calling for greater oversight and accountability. The President's recent order for DHS to avoid intervening in protests in Democratic-led cities unless they request federal assistance or threaten federal property has been seen as an attempt to limit public engagement on the issue.
As the controversy surrounding the Minnesota raid continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to Judge Biery's ruling and the growing calls for reform.
A US District Judge has ruled that a five-year-old boy and his father should be released from detention in Texas, amid growing criticism over their treatment during an immigration raid in Minneapolis. The decision comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues to face mounting pressure over its handling of the immigration crackdown.
The case centers around Liam Conejo Ramos, who was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers during a raid in a suburb of Minneapolis on January 20th. Photographs of the boy, clad in a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, became an emotive symbol of the controversy surrounding the operation.
Judge Fred Biery ruled that Liam's detention was "illegal" and condemned what he described as a "perfidious lust for unbridled power" and "the imposition of cruelty" by certain individuals. The judge noted that the boy's family had an active asylum claim, which allows them to remain in the country legally.
The raid has sparked widespread protests and demonstrations across Minnesota, with activists calling on the Trump administration to end its immigration crackdown in the state. The deadly operation has also led to the killings of two American citizens by federal agents, prompting outrage from local authorities.
Liam was sent to a facility in Dilley, Texas, after his detention, where advocacy groups have reported deplorable conditions, including illnesses and malnourishment among detained children. Texas Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited the site earlier this week, with Liam reportedly sleeping throughout their 30-minute visit.
The judge's ruling has been welcomed by the family's lawyer, who said that the pair will soon be able to reunite with their family members. "We are pleased that the family will now be able to focus on being together and finding some peace after this traumatic ordeal," a statement from the Law Firm of Jennifer Scarborough read.
The Trump administration has faced criticism over its handling of immigration enforcement, with some lawmakers calling for greater oversight and accountability. The President's recent order for DHS to avoid intervening in protests in Democratic-led cities unless they request federal assistance or threaten federal property has been seen as an attempt to limit public engagement on the issue.
As the controversy surrounding the Minnesota raid continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Trump administration will respond to Judge Biery's ruling and the growing calls for reform.
this is so sad 
what is going on in the US with these immigration raids?? 
they're detaining a 5-year-old boy 
and his dad 
I mean, who does that to a kid? 
the judge's ruling is like, totally justified 
Liam deserves to be back with his family ASAP 
and these advocacy groups are fighting for him, for kids like him in detention 
it's so heartbreaking to think about the deplorable conditions at Dilley facility 
Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visiting Liam is a step in the right direction 
but what about all the other kids like Liam who are still being held? 
this is just not okay 
ICE agents just grabbed him from his family in front of his face! Five years old! No wonder he was all messed up when they visited his dad in a detention center - it's like, emotional trauma for real. 
It's crazy how some people think they're above the law. I mean, what's next? Keeping grandma in a detention center for wanting to visit her grandkids?! 
It's like, we're so caught up in our own side that we forget about the people who are actually getting hurt. 
. I mean, a 5-year-old boy gets taken away from his family in the middle of an immigration raid... what's next? 
ICE needs to get its act together and focus on actually processing asylum claims instead of just scooping up random people 
. And now that Judge Biery has ruled that Liam's detention was "illegal", it's about time someone held them accountable for their actions 
. His family had an active asylum claim and now he's being punished for it 
can you even imagine having your little kid taken away from you by ICE agents? I'm seriously shaking just thinking about it 
This whole thing is just a perfect example of how our current immigration system is broken. I mean, come on, a 5-year-old boy gets taken away from his family and held in detention? It's just not right. 
. This is what we need more of – people speaking up against unfair treatment like this. I hope Liam and his dad can finally be reunited with their family and start living a normal life again 
.
. It's not okay to leave children alone and unwell in those kinds of facilities. We need to make sure they're treated with dignity and respect, like human beings should be 
.
.
and prioritizes human rights over power plays.
. This case highlights how our immigration system can sometimes fail its most vulnerable members, and it's up to us to demand better from our leaders 
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... Five-year-old Liam should never have been taken away from his family in the first place, and now they're finally getting some relief. But it's not just about them - it's about all these other families who are being rounded up and treated like dirt. I mean, what's next? ICE showing up at your doorstep unannounced because "they think you might be a threat"? 
. That's like, a lot of little kids stuck in detention centers with no end in sight 
. The fact that the Trump administration is still pushing forward with its 'zero-tolerance' policy is just heartbreaking 
they said the boy had an active asylum claim which is like a legit way to stay in the country 
. and get this, the judge called out those ICE people for being super cruel 
they're gonna be legendary one day 
can you even imagine what that little dude must have gone through? 
. And can you even imagine being a parent and seeing your child in custody due to something they don't control? It's like, the ultimate worst nightmare 
it's just so heartbreaking 2 think people in power don't care about these little ones 
... I mean, can't they see that locking up a 5-year-old kid is just messed up? 
And don't even get me started on the conditions in that Dilley facility - it's like they're intentionally trying to traumatize these kids. 