A federal judge took swift action in a high-profile immigration case. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, from a Texas detention center. Authorities detained the pair earlier that month in Minnesota.
The order came on January 31, 2026. Judge Biery required officials to free them by February 3, 2026. This decision followed an emergency request from the family’s lawyer.
Background of the Detention
Immigration agents arrested Liam and his father in a Minneapolis suburb. The family had arrived from Ecuador in December 2024 to seek asylum. They followed proper immigration protocols.
However, agents took them into custody during Operation Metro Surge. This initiative ramped up enforcement under the Trump administration. Images showed Liam in a blue bunny hat and Spiderman backpack amid snowy conditions.
Neighbors claimed officers used the child as “bait” to draw out his mother. DHS denied this and said the father fled, leaving Liam in a running vehicle.
Transfer to Texas Facility
Authorities transferred Liam and his father to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. This facility housed about 1,100 people and reopened the previous year. Detainees reported poor conditions, including worms in food and limited medical care.
Meanwhile Liam showed signs of distress. He appeared tired, ate poorly, and asked about his mother and classmates. His mother remained pregnant, and the family included a teenage sibling.
Judge’s Scathing Ruling
Judge Biery criticized the government’s actions harshly. He stated, “The case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”
Additionally the judge condemned the “perfidious lust for unbridled power.” He referenced the Declaration of Independence and Bible verses, including “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'”
Furthermore Biery noted administrative warrants failed probable cause standards. He called this “the fox guarding the henhouse.” The ruling included a photo of Liam.
Family’s Response and Reunion
The family’s lawyers expressed relief. They said, “We are now working closely with our clients and their family to ensure a safe and timely reunion.” The order allowed focus on recovery after the ordeal. Previously the same judge ruled against their removal from the U.S. This provided temporary protection as the case proceeded.
Public and Political Reactions
The detention sparked international outcry. Protests occurred at the facility on January 28, 2026. Democratic Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited the pair.
However government spokespersons did not comment immediately. The case highlighted broader issues with child detentions in immigration enforcement. It marked the fourth such incident in Liam’s school district within two weeks.
