Dilley, Texas — Concerns are escalating over the deteriorating health of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who has been held with his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.
Prompting urgent calls from lawmakers, educators, family members, and advocates for his immediate release.
Liam, who was detained with his father in Columbia Heights, Minnesota earlier this month during a federal immigration enforcement action, is reported to be increasingly unwell, exhibiting symptoms that have alarmed his mother, school officials, and elected representatives.
Zena Stenvik, superintendent of the Columbia Heights Public Schools District, said she spoke with Liam’s mother, Erika Ramos, on January 27 and was told that the young boy has been ill, experiencing fever and other symptoms since arriving at the detention facility.
Stenvik described Erika as “incredibly distraught” over her son’s condition and expressed deep concern for his well-being.
“The symptoms he’s facing are serious,” Stenvik said. “He has been sick, has a fever, and is not eating.
His health is clearly declining, and that is very worrying given his age and the conditions in confinement.”
Erika Ramos had previously told Minnesota Public Radio that Liam was suffering from stomach pain, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite, which she attributed in part to the quality of food and general conditions inside the detention center.
The issue gained further national attention when Representative Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, visited Liam and his father at the Dilley facility on January 28.
Castro, who documented the visit on social media, said he spent about 30 minutes with Liam and Adrian, although Liam was asleep during most of the interaction.
Castro stressed that while Liam was not in immediate physical crisis at the moment of the visit, his emotional state was deeply troubling.
“His father told me he hasn’t been himself,” Castro said. “He’s been sleeping more than usual, and he’s very sad and depressed.”
The congressman also noted that Liam continues to ask about personal items that were seen with him during his initial detention, including his knitted blue hat and Spider-Man backpack, which Castro believes may have been taken from the boy.
Castro called for Liam’s immediate release, saying that the child’s health and well-being must be prioritized.
“The concern for Liam is shared by his family, his school, his classmates, his legal team, and people across the country,” Castro said, emphasizing widespread worry over the young boy’s condition.
Advocates and community members have echoed Castro’s call, urging federal authorities to consider alternatives to family detention when children are involved, particularly when health concerns are evident.
As of the latest report, the Department of Homeland Security has not issued a public response addressing Liam’s declining health or the calls for his release.
The situation continues to draw scrutiny and debate over immigration enforcement practices, highlighting the growing tension between public health concerns and federal detention policies involving children and families.
