Eight days after the detention of Five-year-old Liam Adrian Conejo Ramos, who was sent to the Dilley Family Detention Center in Texas, was the subject of a meeting Wednesday in San Antonio with community leaders, religious leaders, and elected officials to demand his immediate release so he can safely reunite with his family in Minneapolis. Liam was detained along with his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Ramos, on January 20th as they were returning from preschool. ICE agents even made him knock on his own front door to check if anyone else was inside, using him as bait—an act that has sparked outrage in the community. The family entered the United States legally through the CBP One process and applied for asylum in 2024. Despite fulfilling all court obligations and having active cases, both Liam and his father remain detained in Dilley, the only family detention center in the country. Experts and human rights advocates warn that child detention causes profound psychological damage, with effects that can last a lifetime. During the press conference in San Antonio, officials made it clear that this is not an isolated case, as official figures show that more than 70,000 people have been detained in federal custody and at least 30 have died in these facilities. Furthermore, organizations warn that the government is considering reactivating the “Remain in Mexico” policy, which could force hundreds of families to wait for their asylum hearings in that country.

“They deserve to play and learn,” says Joaquin Castro

Representative Joaquin Castro was emphatic in stating that children like Liam should be allowed to learn and play, not be locked up.

“Liam, and countless children like him, They deserve to play and learn, not be locked up. Their family did everything right, and yet they were devastated by this government's brutal attack on our immigrant community. This is not about deporting criminals;“I demand the immediate release of Liam and the dissolution of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” Castro stated.

Texas government criticized for cooperating with ICE

Jasmine Crockett added that a five-year-old should be worried about his snack and toys, not a detention center. Greg Casar remarked that current policies not only affect Liam, but thousands of innocent children, and that the situation should alarm all Americans.

Other officials, such as State Senator Jose Menendez and Representative Gina Hinojosa, criticized Texas's cooperation with ICE and its relationship with private companies that operate for-profit detention centers, such as GEO Group.

For them, the only way to stop these abuses is by protecting families and ensuring that children's rights are respected. Trey Martinez Fischer emphasized that resistance must be collective, while Diego Bernal She pointed out that this is not politics, but a matter of humanity. Lawyers and advocacy organizations, including American Gateways, RAICES, and the San Antonio Alliance, insisted that Liam's detention reflects a systematic pattern of separating families seeking safety in the United States. Laura Flores of American Gateways stated that the arrest of minors is widespread and used for profit, while Javier Hidalgo of RAICES asserted that the system is designed to punish and deter asylum seekers. Zaira Garcia of the San Antonio Alliance emphasized that children deserve to grow up with their families, safe and protected, and thanked the officials who have opposed these abusive practices. "Liam and the hundreds of children detained at the Dilley Detention Center deserve a home where they feel safe and loved. Children do not belong in jail." “Children belong to their families, united and free,” Zaira stated.

Texas government criticized for cooperating with ICE

Jasmine Crockett added that a five-year-old should be worried about his snack and toys, not a detention center. Greg Casar remarked that current policies not only affect Liam, but thousands of innocent children, and that the situation should alarm all Americans.

Other officials, such as State Senator Jose Menendez and Representative Gina Hinojosa, criticized Texas's cooperation with ICE and its relationship with private companies that operate for-profit detention centers, such as GEO Group.

For them, the only way to stop these abuses is by protecting families and ensuring that children's rights are respected.

Trey Martinez Fischer emphasized that resistance must be collective, while Diego Bernal pointed out that this is not politics, but a matter of humanity. Lawyers and advocacy organizations, including American Gateways, RAICES, and the San Antonio Alliance,He insisted that Liam's detention reflects a systematic pattern of separating families seeking safety in the United States. Laura Flores of American Gateways stated that the arrest of minors is widespread and used for profit, while Javier Hidalgo of RAICES asserted that the system is designed to punish and deter asylum seekers. Zaira Garcia of the San Antonio Alliance stressed that children deserve to grow up with their families, safe and protected, and thanked the officials who have opposed these abusive practices. “Liam and the hundreds of children detained at the Dilley Detention Center deserve a home where they feel safe and loved. Children do not belong in the "Prison. The children belong to their families, united and free," Zaira stated.

Texas government criticized for cooperating with ICE

Jasmine Crockett added that a five-year-old should be worried about his snack and toys, not a detention center. Greg Casar remarked that current policies not only affect Liam, but thousands of innocent children, and that the situation should alarm all Americans.

Other officials, such as State Senator Jose Menendez and Representative Gina Hinojosa, criticized Texas's cooperation with ICE and its relationship with private companies that operate for-profit detention centers, such as GEO Group.

For them, the only way to stop these abuses is by protecting families and ensuring that children's rights are respected.

Trey Martinez Fischer emphasized that resistance must be collective, while Diego Bernal pointed out that this is not politics, but a matter of humanity. San Antonio Alliance, insisted that Liam's detention reflects a systematic pattern of separating families seeking safety in the United States. Laura Flores of American Gateways stated that the arrest of minors is widespread and used for profit, while Javier Hidalgo of RAICES asserted that the system is designed to punish and deter asylum seekers. Zaira Garcia of the San Antonio Alliance stressed that children deserve to grow up with their families, safe and protected, and thanked the officials who have opposed these abusive practices. “Liam and the hundreds of children detained at the Dilley Detention Center deserve a home where they feel safe and loved. Children do not belong in the "Prison. The children belong to their families, united and free," Zaira stated. They insisted that Liam's detention reflects a systematic pattern of separating families seeking safety in the United States. Laura Flores of American Gateways stated that the arrest of minors is widespread and used for profit, while Javier Hidalgo of RAICES asserted that the system is designed to punish and deter asylum seekers. Zaira Garcia of the San Antonio Alliance emphasized that children deserve to grow up with their families,safe and protected, and thanked the officials who have opposed these abusive practices. "Liam and the hundreds of children detained at the Dilley Detention Center deserve a home where they feel safe and loved. Children don't belong in jail. Children belong with their families, together and free," Zaira stated. They insisted that Liam's detention reflects a systematic pattern of separating families seeking safety in the United States. Laura Flores of American Gateways stated that the arrest of minors is widespread and used for profit, while Javier Hidalgo of RAICES asserted that the system is designed to punish and deter asylum seekers. Zaira Garcia of the San Antonio Alliance emphasized that children deserve to grow up with their families, safe and protected, and thanked the officials who have opposed these abusive practices. "Liam and the hundreds of children detained at the Dilley Detention Center deserve a home where they feel safe and loved. Children don't belong in jail. Children belong with their families, together and free," Zaira stated.