On January 20, ICE conducted a targeted operation to arrest Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. As agents approached the driver Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, fled on footāabandoning his child. For the childās safety, one of our ICE officers remained with the child while the other officers apprehended Conejo Arias.
Our officerās made multiple attempts to get the mother inside the house to take custody of her child. Officers even assured her that they would NOT take her into custody. She refused to accept custody of the child. The father told officers he wanted the child to remain with him.
Our officers primary concern during the entire operation was the safety and welfare of the child. Following the motherās abandonment of the child, officers abided by the fatherās wishes to keep the child with him. Father and son are together at Dilley.
Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrationās immigration enforcement. Parents can take control of their departure and receive a free flight and $2,600 with the CBP Home app.
I am aware of reports that five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos may be in San Antonio. My staff and I are doing everything we can to locate him, check on his safety and demand his release. I will inspect the Dilley Detention Center next week.