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Justice Department Appeals Order Freeing 5-Year-Old and Father From ICE Detention

The appeal seeks to undo a rare habeas release that could return the Minnesota kindergartner to custody.

Overview

  • The Justice Department filed a notice of appeal Wednesday, asking the Fifth Circuit to overturn the order that freed Liam Conejo Ramos and his father.
  • U.S. District Judge Fred Biery granted habeas relief on January 31 after finding constitutional violations in how the pair were detained.
  • The appeal seeks authority to re-detain the father and son and to erase the release order’s bond-hearing safeguard if they are taken back into custody.
  • In March, an immigration judge denied the family’s asylum claim, and that separate case is now on appeal with removal a possible outcome.
  • The case gained national attention after ICE detained the 5-year-old during a Minneapolis sweep, and his lawyers and school reported he became ill and lost weight in the Dilley facility.