A federal judge in Texas has issued a significant ruling blocking the immediate deportation of a five-year-old boy and his father from Minnesota, one week after their arrest by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents sparked widespread condemnation.
Judge's Order Halts Removal Proceedings
On Tuesday, the judge issued a formal order stating that Liam Ramos, the preschooler, and his father, Adrian Cornejo Arias, cannot be removed or transferred out of the judicial district where they are currently being held. This decision allows the litigation challenging their detention to proceed without the threat of imminent deportation.
Arrest That Captured Global Attention
The arrest occurred on 20 January 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when ICE agents detained Liam and his father as they returned home from Valley View Elementary School. Photographs showing an ICE agent holding onto the young boy's backpack during the detention quickly went viral, becoming a powerful symbol of immigration enforcement practices.
School district officials publicly expressed concern about the arrest, highlighting that it took place during what should have been a routine journey home from school. The incident has drawn particular attention to immigration policies affecting families with young children.
Legal Context and Family's Situation
Attorneys representing the family have confirmed that both Liam and his father have an active asylum case pending. They entered the United States through an authorized port of entry, according to their legal representatives, which adds complexity to their immigration status.
The Department of Homeland Security defended the arrest, describing it as part of a "targeted operation" aimed specifically at detaining the boy's father. However, critics have pointed to the timing and manner of the arrest as particularly concerning given the child's involvement.
Broader Implications for Immigration Policy
This case has reignited debates about immigration enforcement approaches, particularly regarding how they affect families with children. The judge's intervention represents a temporary reprieve for the family while their legal case continues through the judicial system.
The ruling comes at a time when immigration policies remain a contentious issue in American politics, with this particular case highlighting the human impact of enforcement actions on vulnerable individuals, including young children.
