Protesters Demand Freedom for Detained Immigrant Families in Texas

Wed Feb 04 2026 10:27:45 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Dozens of immigrant families gathered at a Texas detention center to call for the release of their children, including a 5-year-old boy recently detained in Minnesota, as tensions around immigration enforcement continue to rise.

On Saturday, numerous immigrant families protested behind fences at the South Texas Family Residential Center, urging for humane treatment and the release of their detained children. The protest was spurred by the recent detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, igniting outrage over ongoing immigration policies described as inhumane. Advocates highlighted the poor conditions in detention centers, which include inadequate medical attention and unsanitary food, while families boldly raised their voices for dignity and release.

On Saturday, dozens of immigrant families protested outside the South Texas Family Residential Center, where a 5-year-old boy from Ecuador, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father were recently detained after being apprehended in Minnesota. The families, dressed warmly, expressed their demands for the release of their children while chanting 'Libertad!' or 'Let us go.'

Maria Alejandra Montoya Sanchez, one of the protesters, emphasized the need for dignity and proper treatment, stating, 'We’re immigrants, with children, not criminals.' Many families highlighted that their long detention and poor living conditions, which reportedly include serving food with worms and insufficient medical care, have been exhausting and damaging.

The incident has sparked increased tensions regarding immigration enforcement under the current administration, especially following a shooting by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis that left a man dead, drawing massive protests. Eric Lee, an immigration attorney present at the protest, described the courage of the families in voicing their grievances amidst fear of retribution for speaking out.

Despite calls to action, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment on the ongoing situation. Numerous families hope for their voices to be heard as they continue to advocate for their rights and the wellbeing of their detained loved ones.