Judge issues temporary order barring removal of boy, 5, and father who were detained in Minnesota

"Neighbors and school officials say that federal immigration officers used the preschooler as "bait" by telling him to knock on the door to his house so that his mother would answer. The Department of Homeland Security has called that description of events an "abject lie." It said the father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot and left the boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, in a running vehicle in their driveway."

"A federal judge has issued a temporary order prohibiting removal of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father whose arrest last week in Minnesota quickly become another lightning rod for America's divisions on immigration under the Trump administration. U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled Monday that any removal or transfer of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, is on hold while a court case proceeds."

U.S. Judge Fred Biery issued a temporary order preventing removal or transfer of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. The pair are held at a facility in Dilley. They were taken into custody outside their Minnesota home. Neighbors say federal immigration officers used the preschooler as "bait" by telling him to knock so his mother would answer. The Department of Homeland Security called that account an "abject lie," saying the father fled on foot and left the child in a running vehicle. Federal officials say the father was in the U.S. illegally; the family's attorney says he has a pending asylum claim.

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