Judicial Intervention
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued the release order on Saturday, 31 January, condemning the detention as part of what he called a “poorly conceived” effort to meet daily deportation quotas. The ruling required ICE to release the pair no later than 3 February, citing concern for the well-being of a minor in custody and the absence of an enforceable deportation order.
Biery’s memorandum opinion further noted that immigration policies must be executed “through a more orderly and humane process,” emphasizing that any future removal of the father and son should occur only after full adjudication of their asylum claim.
Conflicting Accounts of the Arrest
Following the court decision, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement disputing assertions that ICE targeted a child. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said agents attempted to place Liam with an adult inside the home after his father allegedly fled during the operation, describing the boy’s custody as incidental to Conejo Arias’s arrest.
Conejo Arias, however, maintains that he never abandoned his child. In declarations filed with the court, he stated that he moved several feet ahead only to seek help from neighbors as agents advanced. School staff who witnessed the incident supported his account, reporting that another adult at the residence asked to take responsibility for Liam but was refused by officers on site.
Conditions in Detention
During their stay at the Dilley facility, the father said conditions were “not great,” citing limited access to medical care when Liam fell ill. He reported that requests for medication were denied because the clinic lacked supplies. These statements appear in affidavits provided to the court and have not been independently verified by ICE.
Return Flight to Minnesota
After Judge Biery’s order, arrangements were made for the pair to fly from San Antonio to Minneapolis on 1 February. Minnesota’s congressional delegation assisted with logistics, and Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, accompanied the family on the commercial flight. Videos recorded by supporters show Conejo Arias carrying his son down the jet bridge and guiding the child into the aircraft cockpit for a brief visit with the flight crew.
Upon arrival at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, Liam and his father were greeted by relatives, including the boy’s mother and younger brother. Conejo Arias said the immediate priority was a medical check-up for Liam and resuming normal family routines while they prepare for an upcoming immigration hearing.
Next Steps in the Asylum Process
The family’s first appearance before an immigration judge is scheduled for later in February. According to their attorney, the case will proceed under the standard affirmative asylum framework, which allows applicants to remain in the United States while claims are adjudicated. Information on how the asylum system operates can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website, which details eligibility requirements and procedural steps (USCIS: Asylum).
Imagem: Internet
Conejo Arias said he fled Ecuador due to fears for his family’s safety and hopes to work legally in the United States. He urged federal authorities “not to be unfair with the Latino population,” asserting that many migrants seek only to support their families.
Policy Debate Continues
The incident has drawn renewed scrutiny to ICE field practices and the detention of minors. While DHS contends that current guidelines prohibit the intentional arrest of children, immigrant-rights advocates argue that family separations and field apprehensions outside schools or homes produce traumatic outcomes similar to those documented during earlier zero-tolerance periods.
Republican lawmakers have defended the agency’s actions, emphasizing the need to enforce immigration laws uniformly. Democrats, including Representative Castro, counter that expedited removal targets should not override humanitarian considerations, particularly when dealing with young children and families with pending asylum claims.
The release of Liam and his father does not resolve their legal status, and both remain subject to future immigration proceedings. However, Judge Biery’s order ensures they can pursue their case while living with relatives in Minnesota rather than in a detention facility hundreds of miles away.
Immigration law specialists note that judicial interventions such as Saturday’s order are rare but permissible when constitutional concerns arise, especially involving minors. They expect the ruling to influence future litigation around field arrests of families and the transportation of detainees across state lines.
For now, the Conejo Ramos family is focused on reuniting under one roof and preparing documentation for their court appearance. Community organizations in Minneapolis have offered legal guidance, language assistance, and enrollment support for Liam’s continued schooling.
As of Monday, ICE had not indicated whether it would appeal Judge Biery’s decision or pursue alternative enforcement actions ahead of the February hearing. A spokesperson said the agency would “comply with lawful court orders” while continuing to “carry out its mission to remove individuals who do not have a legal basis to remain in the United States.”
Crédito da imagem: Ali Daniels via AP
