A five-year-old Ecuadorian child with an active immigration court case was taken into federal custody earlier this week following an enforcement action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the Minneapolis area, raising concerns among educators, legal advocates, and immigrant rights groups.
The child, Liam Conejo Ramos, was detained on January 20 along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, according to court records and statements from the family’s legal counsel. Both father and son have pending asylum cases before U.S. immigration court, with no final rulings or deportation orders issued to date.
Their attorney confirmed the family entered the United States in late 2024 through an official border crossing and subsequently filed for asylum. Records from the Justice Department show the cases were formally docketed in December 2024 and remain unresolved.
Disputed Accounts of the Arrest
The arrest occurred outside the family’s residence and was recorded by bystanders. ICE officials stated that officers were attempting to detain the father and that he attempted to flee, leaving the child unattended in a vehicle. The agency maintains that the child was taken into custody to ensure his safety.
Community witnesses present at the scene described a different sequence of events, stating that other adults were available to take temporary custody of the child. Local school officials and community members reportedly urged agents to allow the child to remain with caregivers or school representatives.
ICE has rejected claims that enforcement agents pressured the child’s mother to leave the home, saying officers followed protocol and attempted to transfer custody to a parent. The agency also stated that officers provided food and comfort to the child following the arrest.
Transfer to Texas Family Detention Center
Following the incident, both the child and his father were transferred to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, a federal detention facility used to house families during immigration proceedings.
While federal law permits detention during active immigration cases, removal from the United States cannot occur until a judge issues a final decision. The family’s attorney said current efforts are focused on securing their release while the legal process continues.
ICE officials describe the facility as offering medical care, education, recreation, and family services. However, legal advocates and child welfare organizations have raised ongoing concerns about conditions at the center, citing negative impacts on children’s physical and emotional health during extended detention.
Wider Impact on the Community
Local school officials confirmed that this is one of several recent cases involving students from the same Minnesota school district. In recent weeks, multiple minors with pending immigration matters have reportedly been detained alongside family members.
The situation has drawn national attention, with federal officials defending enforcement actions as necessary under existing immigration law. At the same time, legal experts emphasize that asylum seekers with pending cases are generally considered compliant when they attend hearings and follow court requirements.
Publicly available records indicate that the child’s father does not have a known criminal history in either Minnesota or Ecuador, according to law enforcement databases reviewed by multiple news organizations.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The family’s immigration case remains under review, and no timeline has been set for a court decision. Advocates continue to call for alternatives to detention for families with young children while their claims are adjudicated.
The case underscores broader debates surrounding immigration enforcement, due process, and the treatment of minors within the U.S. immigration system.
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