Trump Administration Seeks to Deport 5-Year-Old Boy in Bunny Hat Photo

Minneapolis, Minnesota – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking a deportation order for five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, escalating a case that has drawn international attention and sparked criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. The move comes just days after Liam and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were released from detention following a period of confinement that ignited widespread concern.

The case centers on the family’s asylum claim. Both Liam and his father entered the United States legally as asylum applicants, but the government is now seeking to end their claim, according to reports from MPR News. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Friday it is pursuing deportation proceedings, but denied allegations that it is attempting to expedite the process.

“These are regular removal proceedings. They are not in expedited removal. This is standard procedure and there is nothing retaliatory about enforcing the nation’s immigration laws,” stated Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary at DHS, in a statement provided to the Guardian and subsequently shared more broadly.

However, Danielle Molliver, the family’s lawyer, characterized the government’s actions as “extraordinary” and potentially “retaliatory,” as reported by the New York Times. The timing of the renewed deportation effort, so soon after Liam and his father were granted temporary release, has fueled speculation about political motivations.

Liam first gained public attention last month when a photograph of him wearing a bunny hat while being detained by federal officials in Minneapolis circulated widely online. The image quickly became a symbol of the administration’s hardline stance on immigration and the impact of those policies on vulnerable families. He was subsequently transferred to a family detention facility in Texas, described as “notorious” by the Guardian, where he reportedly became ill and expressed fear for his well-being.

The family’s return to Minnesota earlier this week was personally overseen by Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas, who accompanied them back to their home. Castro has been a vocal advocate for the family, and has publicly condemned the administration’s efforts to deport them. On February 6th, Castro wrote on X, stating that the administration was “trying to take” Liam again, and accusing them of “breaking legal precedent in an attempt to break this boy’s spirit.”

The case has also drawn the attention of Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, who has also been advocating on the family’s behalf. Both lawmakers are highlighting the broader implications of the administration’s policies, which have led to a significant increase in the detention of minors.

According to an analysis of records obtained by the Guardian’s Deportation Data Project, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) booked approximately 3,800 minors into immigrant family detention facilities between January and October 2025. This includes children as young as one or two years old. More than 2,600 of these minors were apprehended within the United States, rather than at the border, indicating a broadening scope of enforcement efforts.

The Ramos family’s lawyers have declined to provide detailed comments on the case, stating in an email to the Guardian that they “will make our case before the immigration court, challenging any erroneous decisions, and ensure that the U.S. Immigration law works for our clients.”

Liam’s detention is the latest example of the Trump administration’s increasingly aggressive approach to immigration enforcement. The administration has consistently prioritized the removal of individuals deemed to be in violation of immigration laws, even those with pending asylum claims or long-standing ties to the United States. This policy has resulted in the separation of families and raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations.

The case also underscores the complex legal and ethical challenges surrounding asylum claims. Applicants must demonstrate a credible fear of persecution in their home country, a standard that can be difficult to meet, particularly in countries with unstable political situations or widespread violence. The administration has sought to narrow the definition of credible fear, making it more difficult for asylum seekers to qualify for protection.

The outcome of Liam Conejo Ramos’s case will likely have broader implications for other families seeking asylum in the United States. It remains to be seen whether the courts will side with the government’s efforts to expedite the deportation process, or whether the family will be granted the opportunity to present their case for asylum. The situation is being closely watched by immigration advocates and legal experts, who fear that it could set a dangerous precedent for future cases.