A five-year-old boy and his father have been released from a Texas immigration detention centre and are now safely back in Minneapolis, according to US House Representative Joaquin Castro. The young boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on 20 January.
Release and Return to Minneapolis
Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from San Antonio, announced the release in a post on social media platform X. "Liam is now home. With his hat and his backpack. Thank you to everyone who demanded freedom for Liam," Castro stated. He added, "We won't stop until all children and families are home." The Texas politician personally assisted in their release, picking them up from the detention centre in Dilley, Texas, and bringing them back to Minneapolis early on Sunday.
Details of the Detention
Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were detained by ICE agents on 20 January. A viral photograph of the five-year-old preschooler, wearing a bunny hat and a plaid coat, sparked widespread outrage across the United States. The image showed Liam being detained after arriving home from preschool, with claims emerging that the child was arrested on the driveway of his family home. Allegations suggested that the boy was used as bait in an attempt to arrest his mother, although these claims have not been officially confirmed by authorities.
Public and Political Reaction
The case has drawn significant attention to immigration enforcement practices in the US, particularly concerning the detention of children. Representative Castro's involvement highlights the political dimensions of immigration policy, with advocates calling for more humane treatment of families in the immigration system. The release of Liam and his father is seen as a victory by activists, but it also underscores ongoing concerns about the broader issues facing immigrant communities.
As the family reunites in Minneapolis, questions remain about the circumstances of their detention and the future of immigration policies affecting families. The incident has reignited debates over ICE's methods and the need for reform in the US justice and immigration systems.
