A Texas congressman has shared an update on the condition of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos , the child whose detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outside his school elicited international concern.
Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas visited Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias , at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas one week after an image of the boy went viral around the world.
- Liam Conejo is reportedly lethargic, not eating well, and asking repeatedly for the hat and backpack taken from him.
- Rep. Joaquin Castro said the child has been “depressed” since being separated from his classmates and held in detention.
- The Trump administration said ICE officials were left with no other choice and pointed to the father’s status as an undocumented immigrant.
The photo showed Liam wearing a bright blue bunny hat and a Spider-Man backpack as he was detained by federal agents .
On Thursday (January 29), Castro released a new image from the visit. In it, Liam appeared exhausted, asleep in his father’s arms inside the detention facility.
A Texas congressman shared a concerning update about Liam Conejo, a 5-year-old who was detained by ICE alongside his father
Protesters holding Justice for Liam sign during rally for 5-year-old boy detained by ICE in a crowded outdoor setting.
“Liam said that he misses his classmates and his family and wants to be back at school,” Castro wrote.
“He keeps asking about that hat and that backpack that are in the picture. I think they took that from him.”
Five-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a blue hat and plaid jacket, standing beside a vehicle during ICE detention update.
Liam and his father were detained by ICE agents on February 20 after the boy returned home from preschool. Video obtained by news outlets shows the child being taken from the driveway shortly after arriving home, still wearing his backpack.
As agents escorted him away, bystanders could be heard screaming and honking their horns in protest, while one agent held Liam’s Spider-Man backpack.
Man in green jacket holds 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos who appears tired while another man looks on indoors.
The pair were transported more than 1,300 miles south to the Dilley detention center in Texas, where they have remained in custody ever since.
This marked the fourth time a student in the Twin Cities school district was detained by federal officers during Department of Homeland Security operations in Minnesota, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune .
Concerns over Liam’s physical and emotional health have intensified since his arrival at the facility
Comment by Kiki Rose Bwaso expressing that the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos by ICE should not happen.
Comment from Joan Cummins Tapia expressing concern about 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE, highlighting manipulation.
NBC News anchor Geoff Bennett reported that Liam’s father said his son has been “depressed” since being detained due to being separated from his friends and classmates.
“Representative Castro said he was concerned that Liam appeared lethargic and that he hadn’t been eating well,” Bennett said.
“Reports indicate that food served to families at Dilley, including young children, has contained mold and worms.”
People comforting each other during a protest, highlighting the heartbreaking update on 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
Protesters have since gathered outside the detention center in Dilley, demanding the release of Liam and his father. Demonstrations escalated Wednesday (January 28), when protesters and journalists were met with chemical irritants, forcing them to flee the area.
Man in suit smiling in front of American flag representing support for 5-year-old boy detained by ICE humanitarian issue.
The incidents come following the temporary blockage by a federal judge of Liam and his father’s removal from the country.
US District Judge Fred Biery ruled that Department of Homeland Security officials cannot transfer the pair “outside of this judicial district during the pendency of this litigation and until further Order of this Court.”
The detention has triggered bipartisan outrage among lawmakers and families nationwide
Man wiping tears from his face during a protest highlighting the heartbreaking update on 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
“This is a time where we should all be outraged ,” Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota said in a video posted to X.
“If this doesn’t pierce through your humanity, as a Republican member of Congress, if you can’t speak out about this, then you’ve got no humanity left.”
Comment by Kath Lowes expressing sadness over the inhumanity toward a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
Comment highlighting the need for compassion for children like 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE.
School officials and federal authorities have offered conflicting accounts of how and why the arrest unfolded, particularly amid reports that the arrest occurred in snow-covered Columbia Heights.
Trump administration officials, on the other hand, have strongly defended the detention. For instance, Vice President JD Vance insisted ICE agents were left with no alternative, and pointed to the father’s status as an undocumented immigrant.
ICE official speaking at podium with flags behind, addressing heartbreaking update on 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
“What are they supposed to do?” Vance asked reporters. “Are they supposed to let a five-year-old child freeze to d**th?”
“Are they not supposed to arrest an illegal alien in the United States of America?” he added.
Woman speaking at a podium with Telemundo mic, standing near a sign supporting Liam Conejo Ramos, a 5-year-old detained by ICE.
Vance also questioned the narrative that said the child was arrested, insisting that he was taken because his father attempted to flee.
“The five-year-old was not arrested,” Vance said. “His dad was an illegal alien and when they went to arrest his illegal alien father, the father ran.”
Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino also defended ICE’s conduct, asserting agents were trained to handle situations involving children.
“I will say unequivocally that we are experts in dealing with children,” Bovino said during a press conference.
“Let me say that again, experts in dealing with children, not because we want to be, but because we have to be.”
According to an analysis of ICE and Deportation Data Project records, the agency booked roughly 3,800 minors into immigrant family detention from January through October 2025, and more than 500 of those were under the age of five.
“Breaks my heart.” Netizens commented on the impact the images had on them
Comment from Debbie Pastrano pleading to release detainees and hold ICE agents and administration accountable on social media post.
Comment from Jenni Be expressing concern about 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE needing medical care.
Comment saying this picture breaks heart, related to heartbreaking update on 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE.
User comment on social media expressing outrage and calling to free children detained by ICE.
Comment from Joanna Kouri emphasizing that all children deserve love and nourishment regardless of skin color, related to ICE detention.
Facebook comment by Ron DesGranges saying The kids mom bailed on him about 5-year-old boy Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE.
Comment by Kevin Curl expressing criticism of ICE for detaining a 5-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his family situation.
Comment from James Bovington expressing concern about the situation involving a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
Comment from Lorie Thomas expressing hope and protection for a 5-year-old boy detained by ICE.
Comment by Catherine Hughes emphasizing the needs of children in ICE detention centers including food, warmth, and medical care
Social media comment from Kimberly D. Hemperly discussing cold weather, related to the heartbreaking update on Liam Conejo Ramos detained by ICE.
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