Appeal Underway After High-Profile ICE Detention Case
An immigration judge has denied the asylum claims of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his family, according to their attorney, marking the latest development in a case that drew national attention in Minnesota.
Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, an Ecuadorian national, were detained by federal immigration officers in Columbia Heights, a Minneapolis suburb, on Jan. 20. They were transferred to a detention center in Dilley, Texas, where they remained for 10 days before a judge ordered their release on Jan. 31.
Family’s Lawyers Challenge Ruling
Attorney Danielle Molliver said the family is appealing the decision issued by U.S. Immigration Judge John Burns. She said the appeals process could take months or even years. If the appeal fails, the family could be deported to Ecuador.
“We’re gravely disappointed,” Molliver said, adding that Liam and his father remain shaken by their detention. Liam has since returned to school in suburban Minneapolis.
The legal team argues the family deserves a full chance to present its asylum case. Attorney Paschal Nwokocha criticized what he described as a rushed effort to deport the family without proper court review.
Case Sparked Protests and Public Outcry
The arrests came during a wider immigration crackdown across the Minneapolis area, fueling protests and intense public scrutiny. Neighbors and school officials accused officers of using Liam to lure his mother outside the family’s home, a claim the Department of Homeland Security strongly denied.
Federal officials said Liam’s father entered the United States illegally in December 2024. His lawyers dispute that account, saying he entered legally while seeking asylum and is entitled to remain in the country while his case proceeds.
What’s Next
For now, Liam’s family remains in legal limbo as the appeal moves forward. The case continues to raise questions about immigration enforcement, due process, and the treatment of children in detention.
For more on the Ramos family case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.