An immigration judge has denied asylum to five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his family, according to their attorney.
Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, originally from Ecuador, were detained in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, on January 20. They were transferred to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas, and held for 10 days before being released on January 31.
Lawyer Danielle Molliver of Nwokocha & Operana Law Offices confirmed the asylum denial by U.S. Immigration Judge John Burns and said the firm is appealing the decision. The process could take months or years.
If the appeal fails, the family faces deportation to Ecuador. "We’re gravely disappointed in the judge’s misguided decision," Molliver said. "We’re committed to the family and will fight the appeal."
Liam has returned to school in suburban Minneapolis, but both he and his father remain traumatized by their detention. Lawyers say the government moved to end the asylum case without a full hearing.
Paschal Nwokocha, another attorney, criticized the rapid deportation push: "Considering all this family has gone through, it’s unbelievable that the government continues to traumatize them."
The case drew national attention during a wave of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, accompanied by daily protests. Two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were fatally shot by federal officers during operations.
Neighbors and school officials accused ICE of using Liam as "bait" by instructing him to knock on his home’s door to lure his mother out. DHS dismissed the claim as an "abject lie," stating the father fled and left the boy in a vehicle-allegations he denies.
Liam was photographed wearing a bunny hat and carrying a Spider-Man backpack during detention.
The government claims Adrian entered illegally in December 2024. His lawyers dispute this, saying he entered legally to request asylum, which permits him to remain pending review.