In a concerning development that has drawn national attention, US Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro has shared distressing details about his meeting with five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who remains detained by federal immigration authorities in Texas. The congressman revealed that the young child is exhibiting clear signs of depression after being held for multiple days in a detention facility, raising serious questions about the treatment of minors in immigration custody.
Congressman's Visit Reveals Troubling Mental Health Concerns
The Texas representative spent approximately thirty minutes with Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility located in Dilley, Texas. During this emotional visit, Castro noted that the boy was asleep throughout their interaction, with his father explaining that Liam "hasn't been himself" since being detained.
According to the father's account shared with Castro, the five-year-old has been sleeping excessively and appears consistently "depressed and sad" in the detention environment. In a video post on social media platform X, Castro elaborated on this troubling observation, stating: "His dad said that he hasn't been himself, that he's been sleeping a lot because he's been depressed and sad, and so Liam actually was not awake during our visit."
Widespread Mental Health Crisis Among Detained Children
During his extended inspection of the facility from 11:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Castro interacted with numerous other parents detained alongside their children. He reported that multiple families expressed similar concerns about their children experiencing severe psychological distress.
"There were a lot of parents there who talked about their kids experiencing deep depression, anxiety, people losing weight, both because of the bad food, but also because of their mental state," Castro explained in a twelve-minute video documenting his visit. The congressman emphasized that these mental health issues appeared widespread among the detained children, creating what he described as a humanitarian crisis within the facility.
Congressman Demands Immediate Release of Five-Year-Old
Asserting his firm stance against the detention of young children, Castro directly confronted ICE officials about Liam's situation. "I very bluntly told the ICE officials there that Liam needs to be released, that the country demands his release, and that no child that's five years old should be in detention like that," he stated unequivocally.
The congressman expressed strong opposition to the continued detention of the young boy, emphasizing that such treatment of children contradicts American values and humanitarian principles. In a separate social media post, Castro shared: "Just visited with Liam and his father at Dilley detention center. I demanded his release and told him how much his family, his school, and our country loves him and is praying for him."
Legal Context and Background of the Case
The detention of Liam and his father has unfolded against a complex legal backdrop. Earlier this week, a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked their deportation, ruling that the federal government could not move them out of the court's jurisdiction while they challenge their detention. This legal protection provides temporary relief as their case proceeds through the judicial system.
Castro clarified that the family entered the United States through legal means, having applied for asylum through an approved legal pathway. "The boy's family was legally permitted to enter the United States," he emphasized, countering narratives that might suggest otherwise.
Liam and his father, asylum seekers from Ecuador, were arrested by ICE agents in Minnesota on January 20. Images showing the preschooler wearing a blue bunny hat and backpack while being held by immigration officers have sparked widespread public outrage and renewed criticism of federal immigration enforcement practices, particularly regarding the treatment of children.
Broader Implications for Immigration Detention Practices
During his comprehensive facility inspection, Castro made broader observations about the nature of detention at Dilley. "With respect to Dilley, with all of the people in that facility, there are no criminals in Dilley," he stated, directly challenging previous political rhetoric about immigration enforcement.
The congressman continued: "Donald Trump said this was about arresting illegal criminal aliens. That's his language. There isn't a single criminal over there because if you've committed a crime..." This statement highlights the ongoing political debate surrounding immigration detention and the characterization of asylum seekers.
The case of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos has become a focal point in the national conversation about immigration policy, child welfare, and mental health considerations within detention systems. As legal proceedings continue and public scrutiny intensifies, this situation underscores the human impact of immigration enforcement policies on vulnerable populations, particularly young children caught in complex legal and bureaucratic systems.
