Judge Orders Release of 5-Year-Old Liam Conejo Ramos and His Father From ICE Detention
Federal judge criticizes immigration enforcement and demands family’s release after national outcry
A U.S. federal judge has ordered that five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, be released from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody at a family detention center in Dilley, Texas by no later than Tuesday, Feb. 3. �
AP News
The decision follows intense public attention and legal challenges after the family was detained in Minnesota earlier this month — an incident that sparked widespread national outrage and protests. �
Reuters
Details of the Ruling
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in San Antonio issued the order on Jan. 31, 2026, granting an emergency legal request from the family’s attorneys. He sharply criticized the government’s immigration enforcement approach and its impact on children, saying the case stemmed from “ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.” �
CBS News
As part of his opinion, the judge included a photo of Liam and references to Bible passages and constitutional principles, underscoring his concerns about how immigration policies were applied in this case. �
AP News
What Sparked the Outrage
The family’s detention captured national attention after images circulated showing Liam — wearing a blue hat and his Spider-Man backpack — being taken into custody outside his home in a Minneapolis suburb on Jan. 20, 2026. �
Reuters
According to the school district and critics, the boy was detained immediately after preschool, and his arrest raised questions about how immigration agents handled the situation and whether adequate safeguards were in place for children. �
ABC7 Los Angeles
Lawmakers, including Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett, visited Liam and his father in detention and described the child as unwell, sad, and frequently tired, highlighting concerns about the conditions of the facility. �
tpr.org
Legal and Constitutional Issues Raised
Judge Biery’s ruling didn’t just order their release — his written opinion delivered one of the strongest judicial rebukes of recent immigration enforcement practices.
Key points from the judge included:
Administrative warrants issued by immigration authorities — without independent judicial oversight — do not meet constitutional standards for probable cause. �
The Independent
The government’s pursuit of deportation as a numbers-driven policy was unduly harmful, especially to a young child. �
PBS
Multiple references in the order to biblical verses and founding principles were used to emphasize human decency and legal process. �
The Independent
He explicitly wrote that the enforcement actions “echo grievances” similar to those cited by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence — a dramatic constitutional comparison rarely seen in such rulings. �
ABC News
U.S. Government’s Response
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, has disputed some details about how the detention occurred — for example, challenging claims that agents used the child as “bait” to get a family member to open the door. �
PBS
Officials from DHS and the Department of Justice did not immediately offer a public comment on the judge’s order by press time. �
WSLS
However, the ruling means the father and son cannot be detained any longer in the current facility, and their removal from the United States remains barred at least temporarily while their ongoing asylum case proceeds in immigration court. �
AP News
What Happens Next
The court has given the government until Feb. 3 to release Liam and his father from immigration custody. �
CBS News
Their asylum claim remains pending, meaning they are still in the formal immigration system but are legally barred from removal at this stage. �
ABC News
The order directs officials to report back to the court to confirm the release has taken place. �
The Independent
Lawyers for the family have expressed relief and said they are working to ensure the pair’s safe reunion with relatives and community members. �
PBS
Broader Context and Reactions
The case has resonated far beyond this specific family. It has become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, particularly regarding the treatment of children in detention and the use of administrative powers without judicial oversight. �
ABC7 Los Angeles
Advocacy groups and child welfare organizations have criticized past policies that placed children and families in long-term detention centers, and this ruling is likely to fuel ongoing legal challenges and calls for reform. �
tpr.org
Why This Matters
This ruling is unusual not only because it involves a child but because of how forcefully the judge questioned enforcement tactics. It underscores broader tensions in U.S. immigration policy, including:
The balance between enforcement authority and constitutional protections
The role of judicial oversight in detention actions
How families and children are treated under current practices
For now, the focus is on reuniting a young boy with his family outside detention and on the broader legal and moral questions the case has raised.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Zahid Hussain and writers in The Swamp and other communities.
Mike Johnson Told Not to Count on Democrats’ Votes to End Shutdown
The U.S. government entered a partial shutdown after federal funding lapsed, and House Speaker Mike Johnson has been warned by both members of his own party and Democratic leaders that he should not rely on Democratic votes to pass funding legislation to end the crisis. That stark admonition reflects the deepening political impasse in Washington — a standoff that continues to disrupt federal services and threatens broader economic fallout. As the shutdown drags on, lawmakers are locked in a contentious negotiation over spending priorities, border policy, and legislative leverage. The warning to Johnson is not just a tactical rebuke — it reveals the erosion of cross-party cooperation and the high political stakes as both sides calculate risks ahead of key elections. Shutdown Overview: What’s at Stake The shutdown began when federal funding expired at midnight after congressional leaders failed to agree on a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government open. While essential services continue, many federal workers are furloughed or working without pay, national parks are closed, and numerous domestic programs have been disrupted. What Can’t Operate Non-essential federal services National parks and museums Regulatory agencies processing licenses and permits Federal contractors What Continues Social Security and Medicare payments Law enforcement and national security operations Emergency medical services The shutdown’s effects ripple across the economy, impacting consumer confidence, tourism revenue, and federal contractors in particular. Why Johnson Had Been Seeking Democratic Support Mike Johnson, facing a divided Republican Conference, initially sought Democratic votes to pass short-term funding bills — a strategy aimed at preventing a shutdown and avoiding full GOP unity on a deal that included policy concessions. His approach was based on several assumptions: Moderate Republicans would reject hardline demands from the party’s right flank. Democratic votes could provide enough support to pass a funding bill in the House. A bipartisan approach might force conservative GOP members to fall in line. But those assumptions have been challenged by developments on Capitol Hill. Democrats Push Back: No Votes Without Conditions Top Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Democratic leaders, have been unequivocal: they will not provide votes to end the shutdown unless their policy priorities are met. Key Democratic demands include: Funding protections for social programs targeted by conservative cuts Border and immigration provisions that differ markedly from GOP proposals Restoration of funding for agencies hit hardest by proposed cuts Democrats argue that lending support to GOP-crafted spending bills without meaningful concessions would reward what they see as extreme or punitive spending priorities. In private meetings, Democratic lawmakers cautioned Johnson that they would not be a “reliable pivot” if GOP hardliners continued to insist on controversial policy riders tied to spending legislation. Republican Divisions Intensify the Impasse Johnson’s strategy has been complicated by internal divisions within the Republican Conference: Hardline Conservatives Some House Republicans, particularly members of the Freedom Caucus and other hardline blocs, have refused to back any spending bill that does not advance more aggressive policy changes — especially on: Immigration and border enforcement IRS funding and regulation Cuts to domestic programs These members view any compromise as capitulation and have insisted on deeper cuts, which Democrats outright oppose. Moderate Republicans Moderates have expressed frustration with shutdown brinkmanship and want a clean continuing resolution to end the crisis. Many have privately urged Johnson to find a path forward that avoids excessive policy riders. This intra-party divide has left Johnson with a narrow coalition: not enough support from conservatives for GOP-only bills, and not enough Democratic support without concessions Democrats have flatly rejected. White House Reaction: Pressure on Congress The Biden administration has called repeatedly for Congress to pass a funding bill to end the shutdown, urging Republicans to work with Democrats if necessary. White House officials have framed the shutdown as a politically manufactured crisis, blaming GOP inflexibility. “Fellow Americans are suffering because Congress chooses political brinkmanship over governing,” a senior administration official said in a statement. “If Speaker Johnson believes bipartisan governance is possible, he should embrace it — but Democrats will not be used as a cover for extreme spending cuts.” The White House has repeatedly signaled support for a clean continuing resolution — a funding bill without controversial policy attachments — coupled with a willingness to negotiate longer-term spending priorities later. Senate Holds the Key, But Politics Remain Stalled In the Senate, Democratic and Republican leaders have made incremental progress toward a bipartisan deal, but are constrained by: Divergent spending priorities Procedural hurdles like the filibuster Upstream House disagreement that undermines Senate negotiations Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has called for a bipartisan, short-term funding extension that would avert further disruption and buy time for broader appropriations talks. Yet with the House struggling to pass any viable bill, the Senate’s options remain limited. Public Opinion and Economic Impact Polling data shows widespread public frustration with the shutdown, with many Americans blaming Congress rather than the President. Shutdowns tend to erode trust in government institutions and can become political liabilities for the parties in power. Economists warn that prolonged funding lapses can: Slow GDP growth Reduce consumer confidence Disrupt financial markets Increase borrowing costs Federal contractors, small businesses near national parks and government facilities, and furloughed federal workers are among those most immediately harmed. Why Democrats Won’t Provide the Necessary Votes — At Least Not Yet Democrats have signaled they may support a short-term funding extension under certain conditions, but only if it: Protects key domestic programs from deep cuts Excludes controversial border-related riders Aligns funding levels with negotiated appropriations rather than ideological priorities Democratic leaders have stressed that their refusal to simply “lend votes” is about policy substance, not obstruction for obstruction’s sake. “We are willing to work in good faith,” one Democratic lawmaker told reporters, “but we will not be propping up a shutdown bill that undermines the programs Americans depend on.” What This Means for Mike Johnson’s Leadership Speaker Johnson now faces a stark choice: Recalibrate strategy and pursue bipartisan compromise, or Double down on GOP unity and risk prolonged shutdown and legislative paralysis His hold on the speakership depends on navigating these competing pressures — and on whether his conference ultimately rallies behind a definitive path, even if that means negotiating with Democrats. Some conservatives privately warn that relying too heavily on Democratic votes could be interpreted as a betrayal of Republican priorities — a political misstep ahead of crucial elections. What Happens Next With no clear path yet to a funding bill that can pass both chambers, lawmakers are eyeing several options: 1. Short-Term Continuing Resolution A clean, short-term funding extension with minimal policy riders, designed only to keep the government open and buy time for broader negotiations. 2. Bipartisan “Omnibus” Funding Deal A longer-term, larger funding package negotiated by leaders from both parties — difficult without significant concessions. 3. Reconciliation or “Return to regular order” Using procedural strategies to bypass partisan gridlock, though these paths are legally and politically complex. 4. Prolonged Shutdown A politically risky scenario with mounting public and economic cost. Conclusion: Shutdown Limbo and a Leadership Test As the partial government shutdown continues, the warning to Mike Johnson — don’t count on Democratic votes to end it — underscores the deep polarization and tactical complexity in today’s Congress. Whether Johnson can find a path out of the stalemate — by brokering dialogue, recalibrating strategy, or reconciling competing party pressures — will shape not just the fate of federal funding, but his leadership legacy and the broader political landscape in Washington. For now, the shutdown continues, federal workers await back pay decisions that may or may not come, and Americans nationwide feel the tangible effects of a government caught between political divergence and leadership test.
By Zahid Hussaina day ago in The Swamp
EU Countries Give Final Approval to Russian Gas Ban
In a landmark decision, European Union (EU) member states have officially approved a ban on imports of Russian natural gas. This ban, set to be fully enforced by late 2027, is a major step in reducing Europe’s reliance on Moscow for energy. It also reflects the EU’s commitment to reshaping its energy landscape amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. A Long-Awaited Shift in Policy After months of negotiation, EU energy ministers gave their final approval for a regulation that will phase out Russian gas. This includes both pipeline gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Here’s what the new rules mean: Russian LNG imports must end by December 31, 2026. Pipeline gas imports will stop by September 30, 2027, with a possible short extension to November 1, 2027 if needed. All new contracts with Russian suppliers are banned immediately. The law balances ambition with practicality. Some countries still heavily depend on Russian energy, and the phased timeline allows them to adjust gradually. Balancing Energy Security and Political Differences The approval was not without disagreement. Hungary and Slovakia voted against the ban, citing concerns about energy shortages, while Bulgaria abstained. Hungary has already announced plans to challenge the ban at the European Court of Justice. Despite these differences, the EU law passed thanks to a reinforced qualified majority, showing the bloc’s growing determination to secure energy independence and reduce Russian influence. It’s worth noting that Russia used to supply over 40% of the EU’s gas, a number that fell to around 13% by 2025 thanks to sanctions, diversification, and changing markets. Some countries like France and Belgium still relied on Russian gas longer, highlighting the uneven transition across Europe. Why This Ban Matters The gas ban is about more than just energy; it’s a strategic and symbolic move. Here’s why: Weakening Russia’s Economic Power Cutting off EU gas imports will further reduce Russia’s revenue, limiting its ability to fund military operations and exert influence abroad. Strengthening EU Energy Sovereignty The ban pushes member states to diversify gas supplies and invest in infrastructure, storage, and interconnectors to ensure reliable energy. National plans must be prepared by March 2026. Accelerating the Green Transition As Europe phases out Russian gas, investment in renewable energy like wind, solar, and hydrogen is expected to increase, helping the bloc reach its climate goals. Economic Challenges Ahead While the ban is historic, it comes with challenges: Rising energy prices in some markets as cheaper Russian gas is replaced. Infrastructure needs, including LNG terminals and interconnectors, to ensure supply resilience. Compliance penalties for companies failing to phase out Russian gas, which could include multi-million-euro fines. Critics also warn that Europe could risk dependence on other external suppliers if diversification efforts are not broad enough. Looking Forward: Europe’s Energy Independence The Russian gas ban is part of REPowerEU, the EU’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign fossil fuels. Beyond gas, the EU is preparing to phase out Russian oil and nuclear fuel, signaling a long-term shift toward energy sovereignty and sustainability. The final approval of this ban is not just the end of Russian gas imports—it’s the start of a decade-long transformation in European energy, geopolitics, and economic strategy. Final Thoughts The EU’s decision to ban Russian gas is historic. It reduces Moscow’s economic leverage, strengthens European energy security, and encourages investment in green alternatives. While challenges remain, including rising prices and infrastructure needs, the move marks a bold step toward independence and a redefined geopolitical balance in Europe.
By Aqib Hussain7 days ago in The Swamp
Balochistan on High Alert After Simultaneous Militant Attacks Leave 58 Dead
Balochistan has been placed on high alert following a wave of simultaneous militant attacks across multiple districts that resulted in the deaths of at least 58 militants after fierce clashes with security forces. The coordinated nature of the assaults has raised serious concerns about the evolving tactics of extremist groups and the ongoing security challenges facing Pakistan’s largest province. According to official sources, the attacks were launched almost at the same time in several locations, targeting security checkpoints, government facilities, and key transportation routes. The sudden outbreak of violence created panic among local communities, with residents reporting heavy gunfire and explosions lasting for hours. In response, security forces quickly sealed off affected areas and launched large-scale counterterrorism operations to neutralize the attackers and prevent further damage. Authorities stated that the militants attempted to overwhelm security positions through synchronized strikes, but their efforts were foiled due to the swift and coordinated response by law enforcement agencies. Ground troops, supported by aerial surveillance, engaged the attackers in intense skirmishes. Several militant hideouts were destroyed, and large quantities of weapons, ammunition, and explosives were recovered during search and clearance operations. A senior security official confirmed that at least 58 militants were killed in the clashes, while operations are still ongoing in remote and mountainous areas where some suspects managed to flee. “Our forces are conducting comprehensive clearance missions to ensure that no militant elements remain active. The situation is under control, but vigilance remains high,” the official said. Balochistan’s strategic location and rugged terrain have long made it vulnerable to militant and insurgent activity. The province shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran, and its vast, sparsely populated areas have often been exploited by extremist groups to establish bases and movement corridors. Analysts believe the latest attacks reflect an attempt by these groups to reassert their presence and challenge the state’s authority through high-impact operations. The provincial government strongly condemned the attacks, calling them an assault on peace and stability. In a statement, the Chief Minister praised the courage of security personnel and expressed solidarity with the families affected by the violence. “These cowardly acts will not weaken our resolve. We will continue our efforts to eradicate terrorism and restore lasting peace in Balochistan,” the statement read. Medical facilities across Quetta and nearby districts were placed on emergency alert to handle casualties. While most of the reported deaths were militants, several security personnel were injured in the line of duty and shifted to hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not disclosed the exact number of injured officers, citing security reasons and the ongoing nature of the operations. The federal government also took notice of the situation, convening high-level security meetings to assess the threat and coordinate intelligence-sharing among agencies. Officials emphasized the need for stronger surveillance and preventive measures to stop similar attacks in the future. “This incident highlights the importance of proactive intelligence and close coordination between federal and provincial institutions,” a spokesperson for the interior ministry said. For civilians, the violence caused temporary disruption to daily life. Markets in some districts were closed as a precaution, and traffic along major highways was restricted due to security checkpoints and roadblocks. Educational institutions in certain areas suspended classes, while residents were advised to avoid unnecessary travel. Many expressed fear over the return of large-scale violence after a period of relative calm in parts of the province. Security experts argue that while such operations are necessary to counter immediate threats, long-term peace in Balochistan requires addressing deeper social and economic issues. Lack of development, unemployment, and political grievances have often been cited as factors that contribute to instability. “Military action alone cannot resolve the conflict. Sustainable peace depends on investment in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, along with political dialogue,” said a security analyst based in Islamabad. Investigations are currently underway to determine the origins of the coordinated attacks and whether they were linked to cross-border movements or external support networks. Intelligence agencies are tracing communication and financial channels used by the militants to dismantle their networks and prevent future incidents. As security forces maintain a high state of alert and continue clearance operations, the situation in Balochistan remains tense but largely under control. Additional checkpoints have been established in sensitive areas, and patrols have been increased to ensure public safety. The coordinated nature of the attacks serves as a reminder of the persistent threat posed by militant groups and the need for constant vigilance. With at least 58 militants killed and several networks disrupted, the recent operation marks a significant blow to extremist activity in the province. However, authorities acknowledge that sustained efforts will be required to ensure lasting stability. The events underscore the fragile security environment in Balochistan and the importance of a comprehensive strategy combining security, intelligence, and development to prevent future violence and protect the lives of citizens.
By Fiaz Ahmed 2 days ago in The Swamp
One Unchecked Box
"Republished" because it was the only way to add the embed for the newly recorded audio version of this story due to the Top Story badge. Plus it serves as a nice, informal announcement of the podcast's revival for another season (go subscribe!):
By Stephen A. Roddewig6 days ago in Fiction
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.