**
In a heart-wrenching twist to an already harrowing tale, the Trump administration’s legal team is pursuing the deportation of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, following his recent release from ICE detention. Liam, alongside his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, was apprehended in Minneapolis last month during a sweeping crackdown on immigration. Their story, punctuated by a poignant photograph of the young boy in a bunny hat, has captured global attention and sparked outrage over the treatment of immigrant families in the United States.
Detained and Released: A Family’s Ordeal
The ordeal began when Liam and his father entered the United States legally, seeking asylum. However, their hopes quickly turned to despair when they were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in January. After a harrowing ten-day stint in a family detention facility in Texas, the pair was released on January 31, 2026, following a judge’s ruling. The family returned to Minnesota, yet their respite was short-lived as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its intention to initiate deportation proceedings against them.
Danielle Molliver, the family’s attorney, described the government’s actions as “extraordinary” and hinted at possible retaliatory motives behind the push for deportation. Despite the DHS’s assurances that these proceedings are standard and not expedited, concerns linger over the administration’s aggressive stance towards families seeking refuge.
Political Repercussions and Advocacy
Political figures have rallied around the Conejo family, with representatives such as Ilhan Omar from Minnesota and Joaquin Castro from Texas voicing their support. Castro, who personally accompanied Liam and his father back to Minnesota, took to social media to condemn the government’s actions. He remarked, “Liam Ramos, 5, spent ten days in a Texas trailer prison. He got sick, missed his mother and school, and was afraid of the guards,” highlighting the emotional and physical toll of such detentions.
The ongoing saga of Liam and his father exemplifies the contentious atmosphere surrounding immigration policy in the U.S., where the rights and welfare of children can often be overshadowed by political agendas. The calls for action from lawmakers and the public alike underscore a growing discontent with the treatment of vulnerable populations by federal authorities.
The Broader Context of Child Detention
Liam’s detention is not an isolated case. Data reveals a troubling trend, with ICE booking approximately 3,800 minors into family detention facilities between January and October 2025. Alarmingly, this includes children as young as one or two years old. Many of these minors are apprehended inside the country, raising questions about the methods used to enforce immigration laws and the implications for families seeking asylum.
As the Conejo family’s situation unfolds, it serves as a grim reminder of the broader crisis affecting immigrant children. The consequences of the current administration’s policies extend far beyond individual cases, influencing public perception and policy on immigration as a whole.
Why it Matters
The struggle of Liam Conejo Ramos highlights the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform and compassionate treatment of asylum seekers. As public outrage grows, the story serves as a rallying point for advocates pushing against the dehumanising practices at the heart of U.S. immigration enforcement. The fate of one small boy has ignited a conversation about the moral responsibilities of nations towards the most vulnerable among us, urging society to confront the harsh realities of immigration policy in a country built on the promise of refuge and hope.
