Federal Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old Boy and Father Held by ICE in Texas

Washington D.C. A federal judge has ordered the release of five-year-old Liam Cornejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Cornejo Arias, from custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Texas. The incident drew widespread criticism across the US after immigration officers detained the child along with his father during a raid.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, in his Saturday order, deemed Liam's detention unlawful and strongly criticized what he called the government's deceptive greed and cruel attempt to enforce unchecked power. He stated that this case is the result of an unfit and confusing policy implemented with the aim of meeting daily deportation quotas, thereby traumatizing children.

According to the order, the child and his father must be released from the Family Detention Center in Texas as soon as possible, by February 3rd. ICE has also been directed to give the family's lawyer at least two hours' notice during the release process. This action has intensified serious debate regarding the current harsh immigration policies in the United States and the treatment of children.

Protests and political interventions are increasing across the US against this practice. Furthermore, it has been stated that their immigration case will continue to proceed through the judicial system as the petition for family reunification is currently in process.