“He has become emblematic of the monstrosity of the ICE system and the detention system,” Castro said.
DILLEY, Texas — U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said he will travel Wednesday to the ICE detention center in Dilley to meet with 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and the boy’s father, days after the child’s detention drew national attention and prompted a federal judge to temporarily block his deportation.
Liam and his father were taken into custody last week and transferred to the South Texas facility, sparking public outrage after a photo of the child in detention circulated widely on social media.
Castro, who represents San Antonio, said he plans to check on the child’s well-being and demand the family’s release. He said he had faced questions online about why he did not visit the facility immediately.
“Remember, courts have allowed Donald Trump to impose a seven-day notice requirement for members of Congress to get into these facilities,” Castro said. “They’re basically like prisons. You can’t just walk in there.”
Castro said he submitted a request to inspect the Dilley facility last Tuesday, before learning that Liam and his father were being held there. That visit has now been approved. He said Rep. Jasmine Crockett and members of their staff will accompany him Wednesday morning.
“My staff and I have been in touch with his legal team and also with his family, and they’re anxious to know how he’s doing,” Castro said. “I know the country is anxious to see him released.”
According to Castro’s office, Liam and his father were detained by federal agents last Tuesday while driving home from school. The Department of Homeland Security has said its agents attempted to place the child with his mother, but claimed she refused and “abandoned” him — an allegation disputed by the family.
On Tuesday, a federal judge issued a temporary order blocking Liam’s deportation.
Castro said the image of the 5-year-old in custody has become symbolic of broader concerns about immigration detention.
“He has become emblematic of the monstrosity of the ICE detention system,” Castro said.
However, Castro added that Liam is not the only child being held at the Dilley facility.
“It is inhumane to be keeping young kids like that in that place,” he said, adding that he has opposed the detention of children at these facilities, under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
KENS 5 said it will have a news crew at the Dilley detention center Wednesday to cover Castro’s visit.