Family's Asylum Claim Denied Amid Trump Administration's Deportation Push
An immigration judge has denied asylum for the family of Liam Conejo Ramos, the preschooler whose detention sparked widespread protests earlier this year. Attorney Danielle Molliver confirmed the family is "very disappointed" with the ruling and has filed an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Uncertain Future for Family Facing Expedited Removal
The family, which includes Liam's 13-year-old brother and pregnant mother Erika Ramos alongside father Adrian Conejo Arias, now faces an uncertain future as the Trump administration moves to expedite the removal of both Liam and his father. This decision represents the latest development in an ongoing effort to deport the five-year-old child, whose photograph wearing a bunny hat went viral after his detention in Minneapolis.
"They were hopeful, at the minimum, they would get their day in court and have an audience and present their testimony," Molliver told the Minnesota Star Tribune regarding the family's reaction to the asylum denial.
Conflicting Statements on Removal Proceedings
The Department of Homeland Security has denied claims that they are fast-tracking the removal process. Lauren Bis, DHS acting assistant secretary, stated: "Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and his son received full due process and were issued a final order of removal on February 19. These are regular removal proceedings. This is standard procedure and there is nothing retaliatory about enforcing the nation's immigration laws."
However, the family's attorney has requested that DHS consider "humanitarian factors and due process" in its enforcement of immigration law, highlighting the complex nature of this case.
Appeal Process and Timeline Uncertainties
With the appeal now filed, Molliver's law firm Nwokocha & Operana has until the end of April to submit supporting documents to the Board of Immigration Appeals. The attorney emphasized that "every day is a struggle" for the family, with uncertainties about how much time they have left in the United States or whether the children will be allowed to finish the school year.
"It all depends on how long the BIA takes," Molliver explained. "They don't want to go back to Ecuador."
Broader Context of Immigration Enforcement
The detention of Liam and his father occurred during what became one of the Trump administration's largest immigration crackdown campaigns in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Both were arrested shortly after arriving home from the child's preschool and were later transferred to a federal detention facility in Dilley, Texas.
An analysis conducted earlier this year revealed that ICE booked approximately 3,800 minors into immigrant family detention from January to October 2025, including children as young as one or two years old. The sweeping operations in Minnesota communities led to thousands of arrests, mass protests, and tragic outcomes including fatal shootings.
Community Response and Ongoing Concerns
A spokesperson for Columbia Heights public school district expressed hope for a positive outcome, stating: "We understand that this decision will be appealed and remain hopeful for a positive outcome. The detention in January of Liam and his father shed light on the harm caused by Operation Metro Surge, during which many children and families have been detained."
The case continues to highlight tensions between immigration enforcement policies and humanitarian considerations, with the family's fate now resting on the appeals process as they await a final determination from immigration authorities.
