Federal authorities have denied claims of accelerating the asylum proceedings for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old boy who was detained with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, during an immigration enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area. This enforcement effort has sparked widespread condemnation and concern within the community.
On January 20, 2026, images emerged of Liam, wearing a bunny hat and carrying a Spider-Man backpack, surrounded by immigration officers. These photos ignited public outrage and highlighted the emotional toll of immigration crackdowns on families. Danielle Molliver, the attorney representing Liam and his father, suggested that the government's actions were not only extraordinary but could also be viewed as retaliatory. According to a statement made to the New York Times, Molliver indicated that the government was hastening the deportation process concerning the boy and his father.
In contrast, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) firmly refuted these allegations. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS official, clarified that the proceedings were standard removal processes and not classified as expedited removals. McLaughlin emphasized that enforcing immigration laws is not retaliatory behavior as suggested by Molliver.
During a closed hearing last Friday, an immigration judge granted Molliver additional time to present the family's case. Following the detention, Liam and Adrian were relocated to a facility in Dilley, Texas, where they remained until their release on February 1, 2026, after a judge's order permitted their return to Minnesota.
The specifics surrounding Liam's detention have raised serious concerns. Neighbors and local school officials accused federal immigration officers of using Liam as “bait” to lure his mother outside by instructing him to knock on their door. DHS has categorically denied this characterization, labeling it an "abject lie." The agency stated that Adrian Conejo Arias fled on foot during the incident, leaving Liam in a running vehicle in their driveway.
The government asserts that Adrian Conejo Arias illegally entered the United States from Ecuador in December 2024. However, the family's attorney maintains that he has a pending asylum claim, which legally allows him to remain in the U.S. Despite the government's claims about the legality of the father's entry, the situation has stirred unease and debate regarding the treatment of immigrant families within the enforcement framework.
As this case unfolds, the implications of immigration enforcement practices remain a topic of heated discussion, particularly in terms of their impact on vulnerable populations, including young children. The continued scrutiny of how federal authorities conduct such operations will likely influence ongoing dialogues about immigration policy and individual rights within the community.
