In a significant development concerning immigration enforcement practices, five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, have safely returned to their home in Minnesota. This follows their release from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility located in Dilley, Texas, as confirmed by Texas Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democratic lawmaker.
Details of the Detention and Release
The father and son were initially detained by immigration officers in a Minneapolis suburb on January 20, 2026. Subsequently, they were transferred to the ICE facility in Texas, where they remained until a judge's order facilitated their release. Katherine Schneider, a spokesperson for Rep. Castro, provided confirmation that the pair had arrived home, noting that Castro personally assisted by picking them up from Dilley on Saturday night and escorting them back to Minnesota on Sunday.
Controversy and Public Outrage
The case has ignited considerable public outrage, particularly after images circulated showing the young boy wearing a bunny hat and a Spider-Man backpack while surrounded by immigration officers. These visuals emerged amidst allegations from neighbors and school officials that federal officers used the preschooler as "bait" by instructing him to knock on his home's door to prompt his mother to answer.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security has strongly denied this account, labeling it an "abject lie." The agency asserted that the father fled on foot, leaving the boy alone in a running vehicle in their driveway, which they claim justified their actions.
Political Reactions and Support
The release has drawn reactions from several political figures. Rep. Castro wrote a heartfelt letter to Liam during their flight to Minnesota, expressing that the boy has "moved the world." The letter, shared on social media, emphasized support from family, school, and strangers, and reaffirmed the importance of immigrants in America, stating, "Don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t your home. America became the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth because of immigrants not in spite of them."
Photos on Castro's social media depicted Liam with his blue bunny hat and a Pikachu backpack, highlighting the personal touch in the reunion. Additionally, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, welcomed Liam back, stating in a social media post that he "should be in school and with family — not in detention," and called for ICE to cease further actions. U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, also a Democrat from Minnesota, posted a photo with Liam, his father, and Castro, holding the boy's Spider-Man backpack and welcoming him home with a message accompanied by heart symbols.
Ongoing Questions and Lack of Official Comment
Despite these developments, questions remain regarding the circumstances of the release. The Associated Press reached out to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for comment on the father and son's release, but there has been no immediate response, leaving aspects of the case unresolved and underscoring the ongoing debates around immigration policies and enforcement tactics.
