Deputy Attorney General Denies Asylum Claim for 5-Year-Old and Father Released from ICE Detention
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — A 5-year-old boy and his father, recently released from detention by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have returned to Minnesota following a judge’s ruling, but questions remain over the legitimacy of their asylum claim. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly disputed assertions that the family had an active asylum application, contradicting their legal representatives and local school officials who maintain the claim is valid and under review.
The family, identified as Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, originally entered the United States in 2024. Their case has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration enforcement and asylum procedures. According to Blanche, the Department of Justice has found no evidence that the family properly filed for asylum, a stance previously echoed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which classifies the family as residing in the country without legal authorization.
“This is not a matter of mere dispute; there is a significant disagreement about whether an asylum application was ever properly submitted,” Blanche said during an interview on ABC News. His comments challenge the narrative put forth by the family’s attorneys, who argue that the Conejo family’s asylum petition is active and that they have been legally allowed to remain in the U.S. while the case is adjudicated.
The family was detained last month by ICE agents in Minneapolis, sparking public outcry and prompting intervention by political figures, including Representative Joaquin Castro of Texas. Castro personally escorted Liam and his father from the detention center in Dilley, Texas, highlighting the human dimension of immigration enforcement policies.
Legal advocates for the Conejo family emphasize that the boy’s age and the circumstances of their detention raise serious humanitarian concerns. They argue that the family’s detention and the government’s denial of their asylum claim disregard the complexities of immigration law and the protections afforded to vulnerable populations, especially children.
The situation underscores the challenges faced by immigration authorities and courts in processing asylum claims, particularly those involving minors. According to data from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), asylum applications can be delayed for months or even years, during which applicants may be detained or released under various conditions.
The conflicting accounts between government officials and the family’s legal team reflect broader tensions in immigration policy enforcement, especially as political leaders and advocacy groups debate the balance between border security and humanitarian obligations. The case also highlights the role of local jurisdictions like Minneapolis, where city officials have sometimes resisted cooperation with ICE, complicating federal efforts to detain and deport undocumented immigrants.
As the Conejo family settles back in Minnesota, their legal status remains uncertain. The Department of Justice and DHS continue to assert that no valid asylum claim exists, while the family’s lawyers prepare to challenge that position in court. Meanwhile, the debate over immigration enforcement and asylum procedures continues to be a contentious issue at the national level, drawing attention from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public alike.
For further information on asylum procedures and immigration enforcement, visit the official resources provided by ICE, DHS, and USCIS.
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