Federal Government Moves to Deport 5-Year-Old Boy After Controversial Detention
The United States federal government has initiated legal action seeking to terminate asylum claims for the family of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, according to immigration attorneys representing the family. This development comes just days after the young boy returned home to Minnesota following a traumatic ten-day detention in Texas.
Expedited Deportation Proceedings Filed
The Department of Homeland Security filed a motion on Wednesday to accelerate deportation proceedings in the family's case, confirmed immigration attorney Danielle Molliver of Nwokocha & Operana Law Offices. The motion represents a significant escalation in the government's efforts to remove the family from the United States.
"It's really frustrating as an attorney, because they keep throwing new obstacles in our way," Molliver stated. "There's absolutely no reason that this should be expedited. It's not very common." The attorney characterized the government's action as potentially "retaliatory" in nature.
Political Backlash and Legal Concerns
Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro strongly condemned the expedited deportation proceedings, accusing the Trump administration of violating legal precedent. "They are breaking legal precedent in an attempt to break this boy's spirit and all of the Americans who are praying for him," Castro declared in a powerful statement.
The congressman detailed Liam's ordeal: "Liam Ramos, 5, spent ten days in a Texas trailer prison. He got sick, missed his mother and school, and was afraid of the guards. Millions prayed, spoke up, and offered to do whatever they could to see him go home."
Family's Uncertain Future
Liam's father, Adrian Conejo Arias, expressed profound anxiety about their situation. "The government is moving many pieces, it's doing everything possible to do us harm, so that they'll probably deport us. We live with that fear too," Conejo Arias revealed in a Spanish-language interview translated by MPR News.
Attorney Molliver indicated that deportation to Ecuador, the family's home country, might not be the government's immediate plan. Instead, the family could potentially apply for asylum in a third country, adding another layer of complexity to their already precarious situation.
Legal Timeline and Next Steps
A hearing has been scheduled for Friday, though Molliver is requesting additional time to prepare an adequate response to the government's motion. The attorney emphasized the unusual nature of expediting deportation proceedings in such cases, particularly involving a young child who has already endured significant trauma.
The case continues to draw national attention as it highlights broader debates about immigration policy, family detention practices, and the treatment of asylum seekers within the United States legal system.
