A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of five-year-old Liam Ramos, concluding that the circumstances surrounding his detention violated the Constitution and issuing a sharply worded decision that scrutinizes the policies behind the case. The ruling, signed by Judge Fred Biery, addresses the detention of the child and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, and directs that both be freed from federal custody.
The case centers on events that began in Minnesota, where Liam Ramos was taken into immigration custody while traveling home from school. The child’s removal from his community drew national attention after an image circulated showing him wearing a blue hat and carrying a small backpack. The photograph became a widely recognized symbol in a debate over immigration enforcement practices, particularly when minors are involved.
