A federal judge in the United States ordered the immediate suspension of any transfer or deportation of Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, after they were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minnesota. The ruling comes as a lawsuit challenging the legality of their detention and possible removal moves forward.
Liam and his father were arrested last week in a suburb of Minneapolis while returning home and were later transferred to a family detention center in Texas. The case sparked national and international outrage, partly due to a viral image of the child carrying a backpack, which became a symbol of the controversy surrounding the detention of migrant children.
The judge’s order not only blocks the imminent deportation, but also prohibits any transfer outside the judicial district where they are currently held until the case is resolved. Civil rights organizations have stated that the family has an active and valid asylum application, strengthening their legal defense.
Why is this judicial decision important?
Because it ensures that Liam and his father will not be deported or relocated while their legal case is reviewed, protecting their due process rights and potentially influencing future immigration proceedings.