BREAKING NEWS: Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, are back in Minnesota after a judge ordered their immediate release from detention. The pair, who were forcibly taken by ICE agents on January 20, 2026, were reunited late Saturday night after Democratic Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro intervened.
Liam’s return to Minnesota comes as a direct result of mounting pressure on the U.S. government following public outrage over their detention. Reports indicate they were taken from their home in a Minneapolis suburb while Liam was still wearing his preschool attire, including a bunny hat and carrying a Spiderman backpack.
As they landed in Minnesota on Sunday morning, Rep. Castro shared a heartfelt message on social media: “Liam is now home,” he wrote, a clear indication of the emotional relief felt by families and advocates alike.
The incident has sparked national outrage. Eyewitness accounts revealed that agents allegedly used Liam to lure his father out of their home, a claim that drew fierce condemnation.
“Essentially using a 5-year-old as bait,”
stated Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik, reflecting the public’s deep concern for the child’s welfare.
The Department of Homeland Security has refuted those claims, asserting that Adrian Conejo Arias fled the scene, leaving Liam in a running vehicle. However, the public remains skeptical, especially after the tragic death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot while attempting to escape ICE agents.
Following a visit to the detention center by Reps. Castro and Jasmine Crockett, it was reported that Liam was lethargic and distressed, calling out for his mother. This prompted urgent calls for their release. Both father and son arrived from Ecuador in 2024 and currently have an active asylum case, meaning they are not under any removal order, according to their attorney.
In a powerful ruling, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery emphasized the inhumanity of the situation. Quoting the Declaration of Independence and biblical texts, he condemned the actions taken by the Trump administration, stating,
“Observing human behavior confirms that for some among us, the perfidious lust for unbridled power and the imposition of cruelty in its quest know no bounds.”
Judge Biery’s ruling underscored the urgency of the matter, sharing a photo of Liam with biblical references that resonated with many: “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me…’”
This reunion marks a significant moment in ongoing discussions about immigration policies and the treatment of families by ICE. As advocacy groups call for systemic changes, the Conejo family’s experience has become a symbol of the urgent need for reform.
Moving forward, observers will be closely watching for further developments regarding the family’s asylum case and potential impacts on immigration policy. What happens next could shape the narrative surrounding family separations and the treatment of migrants in the U.S.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
