Immigration judge denies asylum claim for Liam Conejo Ramos and his family
Key Takeaways
- A federal immigration judge denied asylum for five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, his father Adrian Conejo Arias, and the rest of their family; the family has appealed to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).
- Attorney Danielle Molliver said the family is “very disappointed” and has until the end of April to submit supporting documents to the BIA; BIA processing can take months or longer.
- It has been reported that the Trump administration is moving to expedite the removal of the child and his father; DHS has denied claims it is fast‑tracking removals.
- The case highlights the human consequences of recent immigration enforcement operations, including family detention and uncertainty for children trying to finish school.
- Families facing similar denials should know the appeal deadline and consider seeking counsel immediately; missing deadlines can foreclose appellate relief.
Ruling and appeal
An immigration judge (IJ) denied the family’s asylum claim, and their attorney, Danielle Molliver of Nwokocha & Operana, told local media the family is appealing the decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). The BIA is the federal appeals body within the Department of Justice that reviews legal and factual errors in immigration judge decisions. Molliver has until the end of April to submit supporting briefs and evidence, according to reports. Asylum law requires applicants to show a well‑founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group; a denial at the IJ level does not end the case but does put the family at immediate risk of removal while an appeal proceeds.
Human impact and uncertainty
The ruling comes amid intense public attention. Liam, a five‑year‑old whose photograph in a bunny hat after a January detention went viral, and his father were arrested in Minneapolis and later held at an ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facility in Dilley, Texas. The family includes a pregnant mother and a 13‑year‑old sibling. Molliver has said “every day is a struggle” as the family worries about whether the children will be allowed to finish the school year and whether they will be separated from community supports if removal is executed. It has been reported that the administration is seeking to expedite removals in some cases; DHS has publicly rejected claims it is fast‑tracking removals, and legal advocates are urging officials to consider humanitarian and due‑process factors.
Broader enforcement context and what it means for applicants
This case is part of larger enforcement actions, including what officials call Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota. A Guardian analysis found ICE booked thousands of minors into family detention in 2025, a statistic advocates cite to show the scale of recent sweeps. For people navigating the system now: when an IJ denies asylum, the immediate practical steps are timely filing an appeal or, if eligible, requesting reopening or prosecutorial discretion from DHS. BIA decisions can take months or longer, and in the interim individuals may face detention or notices to appear for removal. Seek experienced immigration counsel quickly; missing the BIA filing window or failing to compile a robust record can eliminate appellate options and hasten removal proceedings.
Source: Original Article