Washington: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it is seeking the deportation of a five-year-old Ecuadorean boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, reigniting public debate over the federal government’s handling of immigration enforcement.
Liam and his father, both asylum applicants, were detained last month in Minnesota as part of a broader immigration sweep. The child, who gained national attention in the U.S. for being photographed wearing a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack during the arrest, was held at the ICE detention facility in Dilley, Texas, until a federal judge ordered their release on January 31, allowing them to return home to Minnesota.
Despite the judicial order, DHS has stated it is pursuing deportation proceedings, which lawyers for Liam have described as “extraordinary” and potentially “retaliatory.” The department, however, maintains that these are “regular removal proceedings” and insisted there is nothing punitive about enforcing the nation’s immigration laws. A DHS spokesperson emphasized that this action is standard procedure in cases involving individuals without lawful permanent status, although detailed accusations against the father have not been publicly disclosed.
The case has shone a spotlight on aggressive immigration enforcement policies in Minnesota, where thousands of federal agents were deployed earlier this year as part of the Trump administration’s crackdown. The deployment triggered protests across the state, as local communities voiced concerns about family separations, public safety, and civil rights violations. The enforcement campaign has also been linked to fatal incidents involving two U.S. citizens, heightening tensions in affected neighborhoods.
Legal experts and child advocates have raised alarms over the decision to proceed with the boy’s deportation, arguing that targeting a minor who is legally seeking asylum undermines humanitarian principles and could set a concerning precedent for future enforcement actions. National attention has intensified the political debate surrounding the administration’s immigration strategy, balancing law enforcement priorities against the treatment of vulnerable families.
While DHS has framed the action as routine, the symbolism of a five-year-old’s potential deportation continues to fuel public outrage. Observers say that how the government handles Liam’s case may have lasting implications for U.S. asylum policy, family detention practices, and community trust in federal authorities.
As proceedings move forward, lawyers for the Conejo family and advocacy groups are likely to challenge the deportation order, while federal authorities insist that immigration laws must be enforced consistently. The unfolding situation underscores the ongoing national debate over immigration, family rights, and the balance between enforcement and humanitarian care in the U.S.