ICE agents stand next to a boy, who a witness identified as Liam Conejo Ramos, a five-year-old that school officials said was detained in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., January 20, 2026. Rachel James/via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. MANDATORY CREDIT. Reuters verified the location from the road layout, buildings, and fence seen in the video and photographs which matched file and satellite imagery of the area. The date when the visuals were filmed was confirmed by the original file metadata. The school district officials said that a five-year-old was detained on Tuesday (January 20). The Department of Homeland Security said they attempted to apprehend the father of the boy on Tuesday (January 20.). THIS PICTURE WAS CROPED BY REUTERS. AN UNCROPED VERSION HAS BEEN PROVIDED SEPARATELY. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Key Facts
• On January 31, a U.S. federal judge ordered release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from Texas family detention center.
• Liam and his father were taken from a snowy private road near Minneapolis and transferred about 2,100 km to Texas.
• Detention lasted over one week before the court order.
• Judge Fred Biery mandated release by February 3 at the latest during immigration proceedings.
• Family’s lawyer confirmed close cooperation for safe, swift reunion.
• Judge cited U.S. Declaration of Independence and criticized government’s ignorance and harsh immigration policies.
• The case intensified local outrage over Trump administration’s immigration enforcement.
• Judge included Liam’s photo and biblical references in the ruling.
• Judge condemned government’s daily deportation quotas as reckless and harmful to children.
• Nationwide raids target some undocumented criminals but also affect legal residents and children.
• Liam is the fourth child in the same school district detained within two weeks.
• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated court orders should not be needed to free toddlers from detention.
Summary
A U.S. federal court ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from a Texas family detention center after over a week in custody. They were taken from near Minneapolis and transferred 2,100 kilometers away. Judge Fred Biery’s ruling, issued January 31, demands their release by February 3 during ongoing immigration procedures. The judge sharply criticized the government’s immigration enforcement policies, highlighting the harmful impact on children and referencing foundational U.S. documents and biblical verses. The case has fueled local anger over the Trump administration’s immigration raids, which affect not only undocumented individuals but also legal residents and families. Liam is the fourth child detained in his school district within two weeks. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emphasized that toddlers should not require court orders to be freed from detention. The family’s lawyer expressed commitment to ensuring a safe and swift reunion.
