Judge Fred Biery Orders Immediate Release of Ecuadorian Father and Son From Texas Detention
Updated (2 articles)
Judge Biery Issues Release Order After Week‑Long Detention U.S. District Judge Fred Biery mandated that Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and his 5‑year‑old son Liam be freed from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas “as soon as practicable” and no later than the following Tuesday, allowing their immigration case to proceed while they remain under no more restrictive conditions than before detention [1][2].
ICE Seized Family in Columbia Heights, Minnesota on Jan 20 Federal agents stopped the father and son outside their home in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights on January 20, taking the boy from a moving vehicle and transporting both to a family detention facility in Texas; school officials confirmed the child was escorted from the car, and the family had an active asylum application with no formal removal order at the time [1][2].
Family Asserts Compliance With Asylum Procedures and Files Lawsuit The Conejo family’s attorney argued that Adrian Conejo Arias followed all required asylum protocols, including attending court hearings, and has filed a lawsuit naming DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other officials as defendants to seek relief from removal proceedings [2].
Child’s Health and Treatment Prompted Public Outcry Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik said ICE used the five‑year‑old as bait, while Rep. Joaquin Castro reported the boy appeared depressed, was not eating, and slept excessively, raising concerns about the psychological impact of the detention [1].
Judge Criticizes Trump‑Era Deportation Quotas Amid Ongoing Debate In his ruling, Judge Biery condemned the “ill‑conceived and incompetently‑implemented” daily deportation quotas pursued during the Trump administration, highlighting broader legal and ethical disputes over aggressive immigration enforcement [1].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Judge Orders Release of Ecuadorian Father and 5‑Year‑Old Son Detained by ICE: reports the Jan 31 release order, details the Jan 20 seizure in Minnesota, includes DHS’s justification, superintendent’s bait claim, Rep. Castro’s health observations, and the judge’s criticism of deportation quotas .
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2.
CNN: Federal Judge Halts Deportation of Minnesota Preschooler and Father: focuses on the Jan 27 stay of removal, describes the Minneapolis seizure, cites DHS labeling the father an illegal alien, emphasizes the family’s asylum compliance claim, notes detention at the South Texas facility, and mentions a lawsuit naming senior DHS officials .
Timeline
2020‑2021 – The Trump administration implements daily deportation quotas, a policy later condemned by Judge Fred Biery as “ill‑conceived and incompetently‑implemented,” shaping the aggressive ICE tactics that affect families like the Conejos. [2]
Jan 20, 2026 – ICE agents stop Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and his 5‑year‑old son Liam outside their Columbia Heights home, seize them, and transport the pair 1,300 miles to the South Texas Family Residential Center, despite the family’s active asylum application and lack of a formal removal order. [2]
Jan 27, 2026 – U.S. District Judge issues an order staying any removal or transfer of Adrian Conejo Arias and his son Liam, effectively halting their deportation while the case proceeds. [1]
Jan 27, 2026 – The Conejo family files a lawsuit naming DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other senior officials, seeking relief from removal proceedings and alleging violations of asylum rights. [1]
Jan 31, 2026 – Judge Fred Biery orders the immediate release of Adrian Conejo Arias and Liam from the Texas detention center, mandating freedom “as soon as practicable” and no later than the following Tuesday, while allowing the immigration case to continue under pre‑detention conditions. [2]
Jan 31, 2026 – Judge Biery condemns the Trump‑era deportation‑quota program, calling it a breach of the Declaration of Independence and highlighting broader legal and ethical disputes over aggressive immigration enforcement. [2]
Jan 31, 2026 – DHS states the operation targeted the father, not the child, asserting agents asked whether the parent wished to be removed with the child or place the child with a “safe person,” and claims the practice aligns with prior administrations. [2]
Jan 31, 2026 – Columbia Heights Public Schools Superintendent Zena Stenvik alleges ICE used the five‑year‑old as bait, saying officers took the child from a moving car and instructed him to knock on his house door, questioning the rationale for detaining a child. [2]
Jan 31, 2026 – Representative Joaquin Castro reports that Liam appears “very depressed,” is not eating, sleeps excessively, and repeatedly asks about his mother and classmates, underscoring the psychological impact of the detention. [2]
Feb 2, 2026 (expected) – The family is slated to be released from the South Texas Family Residential Center by the deadline set in Judge Biery’s order, ending the week‑long detention and allowing the asylum process to resume. [2]