A young boy and his father, who were detained by immigration officials in Minnesota and transferred to Texas, have been released following a court order. The duo, Liam Conejo Ramos and Adrian Conejo Arias, were initially held in a Minneapolis suburb before being taken to a detention center in Dilley, Texas.
According to a representative for Democratic Rep. Joaquin Castro, the pair has returned to Minnesota, with Castro personally picking them up in Dilley and escorting them back home. The images of the boy, Liam, being surrounded by immigration officers while wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack sparked criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies in Minneapolis.
Castro penned a heartfelt letter to Liam during their flight home, expressing how the boy had touched many hearts with prayers and support for his safe return. The letter, shared on social media, emphasized that America’s strength and prosperity are rooted in its history of immigration.
Photos shared on Castro’s social media showcased Liam sporting his iconic bunny hat and Pikachu backpack. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, welcoming Liam back, emphasized that children like him belong with their families and in school, not in detention centers, urging ICE to respect their rights.
In a significant ruling by U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, he criticized the government’s deportation practices, specifically targeting the trauma inflicted on children in pursuit of daily quotas. The case surrounding Liam and his father highlighted the repercussions of such policies on families and communities.
Reports from neighbors and school officials suggested that federal immigration officers allegedly used Liam as a lure to detain his father, a claim disputed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which stated that the father fled on foot, leaving the child in a running vehicle at their residence.