MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - The father of a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained by immigration officers and held at a federal facility in Texas, has rejected government claims that he abandoned his son last month while avoiding arrest. Adrian Conejo Arias, originally from Ecuador, told ABC News that he loves his son and would never leave him behind. He disputed the allegations made by the Department of Homeland Security, which claimed that he had left Liam in a vehicle while fleeing on foot before his own arrest. Arias also reported that his son became ill while in federal custody but was denied medication.
In a statement, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Homeland Security Secretary, reiterated the government's stance. She accused Arias of abandoning his child, asserting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers remained with Liam during the incident. “The facts in this case have NOT changed: The father who was illegally in the country chose to take his child with him to a detention center,” McLaughlin stated, neglecting to address Arias' claims about his son's medical care.
Arias contended that he was unjustly arrested and insisted that he was in the U.S. legally, claiming to have a pending asylum hearing. The situation escalated as a federal judge ordered the release of both Arias and Liam over the weekend, allowing them to return to Minnesota.
The family's arrest and subsequent release occurred amid President Donald Trump's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, which have sparked widespread protests, particularly following the shooting deaths of two American citizens by federal officers. Recently, Trump instructed his top border advisor to enhance the immigration crackdown following a serious incident involving federal agents.
In response to calls for more transparency, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that all DHS officers in Minneapolis would be equipped with body-worn cameras, positing that such technology could prevent false claims about law enforcement activities.
Amid celebrations for Liam's return, the boy’s school, Valley View Elementary in Columbia Heights, faced bomb threats that forced it to cancel classes. Although no hazardous devices were found, the school has felt the impact of immigration enforcement, with over two dozen parents of students detained, leaving many children without caretakers. Principal Jason Kuhlman remarked on the anxiety parents felt concerning attending school, leading to a significant increase in student absenteeism.
The visual of immigration officers surrounding Liam, dressed in a blue bunny hat and carrying a Spider-Man backpack, triggered significant public outrage. According to government sources, Arias had entered the U.S. illegally from Ecuador in December 2024, though his legal representatives argue he has a pending asylum claim allowing him to remain in the country.
In a show of solidarity and hope, Luis Zuna, who has a 10-year-old daughter also in detention, expressed optimism for families facing similar predicaments. Zuna described the emotional toll of his daughter's detention alongside her mother as devastating but was heartened by Liam's return.
The scrutiny over detention conditions has intensified, with Rep. Kelly Morrison alleging inhumane treatment during her recent visit to an ICE facility. She reported a lack of medical personnel and inadequate supplies for detainees, highlighting that many individuals are kept in cold conditions without proper bedding.
Amid ongoing controversies, some members of Congress, who were previously denied entry to ICE facilities under a Trump administration policy, successfully sought a temporary restraining order against restrictive access. This issue has raised significant concerns about oversight and standards within immigration detention centers.
The unfolding developments in immigration enforcement policies continue to generate debate and concern, underscoring the challenges faced by families caught in the intersection of legal struggles and the pursuit of safety in the U.S.
