In a troubling development amid ongoing immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis, an immigration judge has denied the asylum request of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old boy, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias. During a drastic crackdown in January, the pair was detained and made headlines amid public outcry and protests.
The attorney representing the family confirmed that the judge ordered them to be deported back to Ecuador. The judge's ruling has left the family disheartened. ‘We are gravely disappointed in the judge’s misguided decision,’ said family lawyer Danielle Molliver. ‘We are committed to the family and we will fight the appeal, obviously, the best that we can.’
The immigration judge's decision comes after the father, who allegedly fled Ecuador and entered the U.S. in December 2024, was detained alongside his son. Following a 10-day detention in a Texas facility, Adrian and Liam were released, only to be faced with this recent ruling that could lead to their deportation.
Despite the appeal being certain to take time in the courts, Molliver remains hopeful for a swift process. As processing delays could stretch for years, she expressed that the family currently experiences significant fear about their future: ‘They’re scared,’ she said.
Liam has returned to his suburban school; however, the effects of their detention linger heavily on both father and son, as they adapt to the uncertainties of their situation. Neighbors and local officials have raised concerns over the actions of federal immigration agents, some describing them as utilizing Liam as a ‘bait’ to apprehend his father, claims which DHS has dismissed as false. The family maintains their entry was legal and that their claim for asylum is valid, allowing them to stay in the U.S.
The context of the family’s case unfolds against a backdrop of heightened immigration enforcement in the Minneapolis area, coinciding with protests and tragic incidents involving federal officers that further fuel public sentiment against the practices in place.
