A Texas federal judge has delivered a stunning courtroom victory for an Ecuadorian father and his 5-year-old son, ordering federal immigration authorities to keep them in the country while he fights the Trump administration in court.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery issued a blistering stay order, declaring that "any possible or anticipated removal or transfer of Petitioners Adrian Conejo Arias and L.C.R., a minor child, is IMMEDIATELY STAYED until further order from this Court. Respondents SHALL NOT TRANSFER Petitioners Adrian Conejo Arias and L.C.R., a minor child, outside of this judicial district during the pendency of this litigation and until further Order of this Court."
The dramatic ruling comes after a chaotic Jan. 20 arrest that left America reeling. According to the Department of Homeland Security, "As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on foot—abandoning his child. For the child’s safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias."
But school superintendent Zena Stenvik painted a starkly different picture, alleging that federal agents snatched young Liam Conejo Ramos from a running car and instructed him to knock on the family door, "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait."
Homeland Security fired back, insisting ICE "did NOT target a child" and claiming the agency follows standard procedure by asking parents if they want removal alongside their children.
Conejo Arias has now sued Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other federal officials. The judge's order bars any transfer outside the judicial district during litigation.