Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father have been released from an ICE facility in Texas after a judge ordered their release, as confirmed by Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro. They had been detained in Minnesota on January 20 and subsequently moved to the detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
According to Katherine Schneider, a spokesperson for Rep. Castro, the congressman traveled to Texas to escort the father and son back home to Minnesota. Castro expressed his support for the family, stating in a letter to Liam that he had 'moved the world' and underscoring the community's efforts to see them return home safely.
The incident leading to their detention has sparked controversy, with reports that immigration officers may have used Liam as 'bait' to arrest his father, a claim that the Department of Homeland Security has categorically denied. In a statement, DHS referred to this characterization as an 'abject lie,' asserting that the father fled on foot, leaving the boy in a running vehicle.
This case has caught public attention not just for its humanitarian implications but also its political ramifications. Advocates and some lawmakers are criticizing the father and son's detention, calling attention to the immigrant experience in America and the need for reform within immigration enforcement practices.
In social media posts, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar welcomed Liam back, emphasizing that he belongs in school with family rather than detention. The situation has reignited discussions about the treatment of migrant families, illustrating the complexities and emotional weight of immigration policies in the United States.
