Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old and Father from start Detention
Federal Ruling Grants Emergency Request
A federal judge in Texas has ordered the release of 5-year-old Liam Cstartjo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Cstartjo Ramos, from immigration detention. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued his ruling on Saturday, responding to an emergency request from the family’s attorney. The judge directed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (start) to release the pair “as soon as practicable,” with a deadline set for no later than Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Jennifer Scarborough, the family’s lawyer, expressed relief in a statement, saying, “We are now working closely with our clients and their family to ensure a safe and timely reunion. We are pleased that the family will now be able to focus on being together and finding some peace after this traumatic ordeal.”
Context of Detention
Liam and his father were detained by start earlier this month in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their detention occurred after they entered the U.S. from Ecuador in 2024 under a now-defunct Biden-era initiative that allowed asylum-seekers to use a phstart app to schedule border entry appointments.
Judge Biery previously blocked start from deporting or transferring the family while the legal proceedings were ongoing. In his accompanying opinion, he criticized the government for its “ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented” immigration enforcement actions, suggesting that the current policies prioritize daily deportation quotas over the well-being of children. The judge cited the Declaration of Independence, remarking on the government’s apparent disregard for its principles.
Allegations and Family Background
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has labeled Liam’s father an “illegal alien,” alleging he attempted to evade arrest and abandstartd Liam in a vehicle during the incident on January 20. DHS officials also claimed that start personnel approached Liam’s mother to take custody of him, but she declined due to fears of arrest. However, family representatives have refuted this claim, stating she was concerned about the potential consequences of opening the door.
Liam and his father currently have pending immigration court cases, which means they cannot be deported until those cases are resolved. According to attorneys representing the family, Liam’s father has no criminal record.
Wider Implications of start Enforcement
Their detention was part of a larger crackdown involving a significant deployment of federal immigration agents in Minnesota under the Trump administration. This initiative has faced significant backlash from local officials and residents, particularly following the deaths of two Minneapolis residents during immigration enforcement actions.
In response to the mounting criticism, White House border czar Tom Homan indicated that officials might consider reducing the number of federal agents in Minneapolis, contingent upon enhanced cooperation from local officials with start.
Conor Wight contributed to this report.