Federal Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old Boy and Father from ICE Detention

(NationalFreedomPress.com) – A Clinton-appointed federal judge just ordered the release of a 5-year-old asylum seeker and his father from ICE detention, blasting President Trump’s deportation efforts as unconstitutional overreach that traumatizes children.

Story Snapshot

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery mandates release of Liam Conejo Ramos and father Adrian by February 4 after their January 20 detention in Minnesota.
Judge criticizes Trump administration’s “ill-conceived” pursuit of deportation quotas, comparing it to grievances in the Declaration of Independence.
Conflicting accounts: School officials claim ICE used child as “bait”; DHS says father fled, leaving boy in running vehicle.
Family entered legally via port of entry with active asylum claim; transferred to troubled Dilley, Texas facility housing 1,100.
Case highlights tensions in Trump’s enforcement crackdown amid Democratic pushback and public outcry over child detention images.

Detention Circumstances Spark Controversy

Immigration officers detained 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father Adrian Conejo Arias on January 20, 2026, in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, right after preschool drop-off. The pair, originally from Ecuador, entered the U.S. legally through a port of entry and filed an asylum application as allowed by federal law. Agents transferred them to the Dilley, Texas family detention center, which reopened last year and now holds about 1,100 people. Conflicting reports emerged immediately. School officials alleged ICE agents pulled the child from a vehicle, sent him to knock on the door as “bait” to flush out adults, and refused an offer from a resident to take custody. DHS rejected these claims as lies, stating Arias fled on foot, abandoning Liam in a running car in the driveway while officers ensured the boy’s safety.

Judge Biery’s Scathing Ruling Halts Enforcement

On February 1, 2026, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, a Bill Clinton appointee in San Antonio, ordered the duo’s release by Tuesday, February 4. Biery’s initial January 29 order already blocked their transfer or removal. His Saturday ruling condemned the detention’s “genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.” The judge drew parallels to Declaration of Independence complaints against tyrannical English rule and included biblical references, signaling profound concerns over due process for families with pending asylum claims. This intervention underscores activist courts challenging Trump’s mandate to enforce immigration laws and prioritize American communities strained by open borders.

Facility Conditions and Family Health Decline

The Dilley facility faces complaints of worms in food, dirty water, and substandard medical care. Liam’s health reportedly worsened, with the boy often tired and refusing meals during detention. An ICE report from December 2025 admitted holding 400 children beyond the 20-day recommendation. Attorneys for Arias filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing the detention violated due process since the family complied with all procedures. A similar prior case saw a 2-year-old briefly shipped to Texas against a court order before reuniting with her mother. These patterns raise questions about whether family detention aligns with humanitarian standards or enables endless asylum gaming that burdens taxpayers and delays true border security.

Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, Texas Democrats, visited Dilley on January 28, advocating for the family alongside Minnesota officials who decried the arrests. Columbia Heights schools noted multiple child detentions in recent weeks amid Trump’s Minnesota crackdown.

Government Defends Lawful Enforcement

DHS insists actions followed the law, noting family detention options exist where parents choose to stay with children or designate caregivers. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated the administration may appeal, disputing the asylum application’s validity. This case reflects broader clashes: Democrats and media amplify child imagery in bunny hats and Spider-Man backpacks to stoke outrage, while federal authorities uphold enforcement against illegal presence. Trump’s policies have deported over 605,000 since taking office, with 1.9 million self-deporting, restoring order after Biden-era chaos. Yet public polls show mixed support for detaining families during case reviews, complicating the pushback against judicial interference in executive immigration powers.

Minnesota immigrant communities and the Dilley detainees feel ripple effects, as the ruling may slow operations and set precedents limiting ICE flexibility. Conservatives worry this erodes the rule of law, allowing asylum loopholes to undermine sovereignty and protect criminals over citizens. The base demands stealthier tactics to avoid media traps while maximizing removals, ensuring promises to secure borders and prioritize Americans are kept despite activist judges and political noise.