Newly released airport security footage has revealed that Delta Air Lines transported a five-year-old boy and his father to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility in Texas, reigniting national outrage over the Trump administration's immigration agenda. The video, obtained through a disclosure request to Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport, shows Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrián Conejo Arias, boarding a Delta flight to San Antonio on January 21, accompanied by three individuals.
Footage Details the Journey to Detention
The footage from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport depicts Liam, wearing a distinctive blue woolly bunny hat, and his father walking through the terminal. Conejo Arias is seen carrying his son's backpack and holding his hand as Liam looks around curiously. The three accompanying people separately approached the Delta gate desk and presented what appears to be identification to an airline employee.
This journey followed Liam's apprehension by ICE agents in January after federal authorities detained his father, a migrant from Ecuador, during intensified operations in Minneapolis. The now-iconic photograph of Liam standing in snow while an agent holds his Spiderman backpack has become a symbol of opposition to President Donald Trump's immigration policies.
Detention Conditions and Release
Upon arrival in Texas, Liam and his father were taken to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. Texas lawmakers Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, who visited the detention center, reported that the young boy appeared "lethargic" and cried frequently for his mother. The pair spent approximately ten days at the facility before a federal judge ordered their release, condemning Trump officials for what he called "the imposition of cruelty" in detaining a five-year-old child.
Conflicting Accounts of the Detention
Trump administration officials defended the detention, claiming federal agents had no alternative because Liam's father allegedly "abandoned" him and fled when agents attempted to arrest him after he picked Liam up from school. Officials also stated that Liam's mother "refused to take custody" of her son. The Department of Homeland Security asserted that agents "took care" of Liam by bringing him to McDonald's for food and playing his favorite music to provide comfort.
However, neighbors and school officials presented a contradictory narrative, accusing federal agents of using Liam as "bait" to compel the rest of the family to open their door. Witnesses reported that Liam's mother, who was pregnant with her third child, watched the interaction from a window while Liam's father shouted, "Don't open the door!" DHS officials strongly denied these allegations.
Delta's Involvement and Response
Delta Air Lines declined to comment when contacted by The Independent regarding this specific flight. The airline had previously not publicly addressed whether its services were used to transport Liam and his father to Texas. Interestingly, Delta featured in an ABC News report in February that showed the father and son flying back home to Minneapolis, with Delta pilots allowing Liam to sit in the cockpit before departure and presenting him with a pair of wings.
It is important to note that government agencies frequently book air travel through third-party services like travel agencies, meaning airlines may not receive advance notice or detailed information about passengers' identities or the purposes of their journeys. The Independent has also reached out to ICE for comment on this matter.
Broader Implications and Activism
The airport footage was obtained by activist Nick Benson through MN50501, a Minnesota-based organization that advocates against Trump's policies. This revelation has intensified scrutiny of corporate complicity in immigration enforcement operations and raised questions about airlines' responsibilities when transporting individuals to detention facilities.
The case of Liam Ramos continues to highlight the human impact of immigration policies, particularly on vulnerable children, and has become a focal point for activists and lawmakers demanding reform and greater transparency in immigration enforcement practices.
