ICE Detained 5-Year-Old Boy in Austin, Says Rep. Greg Casar

Federal Representative Greg Casar denounced on Thursday that agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained a 5-year-old boy in Austin. The child, identified as Liam, was heading to a soccer game with his father.

What is known about the detention of the minor in Austin

Liam Tadeo and his father were detained on Sunday, August 16, following a traffic stop in Austin, according to N+ Univision. Both were later transferred to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.

That center is a family detention facility operated under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). A video circulating on social media shows the child crying as he is escorted by agents.

The legislator’s reaction and the family’s voice

Casar identified the child as Liam and said he now remains in ICE custody in Dilley. The congressman called for his immediate release, that of other detained minors, and the closure of that facility.

In a social media post, Casar wrote that the boy «should be in kindergarten this week» and not in a detention center. The phrase became the focus of public outrage in Austin.

The child’s aunt, Patricia Resendiz, described the case as a painful experience for the entire family, according to a fundraiser she organized to cover legal expenses. She said Liam and his father had no criminal records and were only heading to a soccer game.

CBS Austin contacted both Casar’s office and ICE to request more information. As of the publication of this report, ICE had not responded to questions about the exact circumstances of the detention.

A pattern that repeats: the other case of a boy named Liam

This is not the first case of a 5-year-old minor detained by ICE and transferred to Dilley. In January, Liam Conejo Ramos was detained with his father in Minnesota while returning from school.

In that case, DHS claimed the operation was targeting the father, not the child. Representatives such as Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett later visited the facility and described conditions as concerning for minors.

The legal framework behind the detention of migrant minors

The United States allows the detention of migrant families under certain conditions while their immigration status or asylum request is processed. The Dilley Center was reopened in March 2025, with capacity for up to 2,400 parents and children.

Previously, between 2021 and 2024, the practice of holding minors in detention centers had been considerably reduced. This policy change even led to the temporary closure of the Dilley center itself.

An immigration attorney consulted by Univision about similar cases explained that the consequences of this shift for migrant children remain to be defined. He noted that human rights organizations have warned about potential psychological impacts on detained minors.

It is important to clarify that neither Liam Tadeo nor his father have been charged with any crime to date. The family identifies as an immigrant without defined legal status, while their case proceeds through the immigration system.

Migration rights advocates contend that the reopening of facilities like Dilley marks a change in direction from previous years. However, DHS has defended its family detention protocols on other occasions, asserting that they seek to comply with current immigration law.

Immigration custody: rights parents should know

Families detained by ICE, including those with minor children, have the right to communicate with a lawyer and to request a hearing before an immigration judge. The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is the agency responsible for resolving these proceedings.

Organizations such as RAICES and the American Immigration Council offer free or low-cost legal guidance to families in similar situations. Knowing these resources in advance can be key if an unexpected detention occurs.

What comes next for Liam and his family

The case comes a week after Casar warned about an increase in ICE operations in Austin. The legislator said at the time that the city was seeing more arrests than usual.

For now, there is no confirmed date for a hearing on Liam Tadeo’s case. Family members and local organizations continue gathering support, including legal assistance for the child’s father.

Those seeking guidance on similar cases can consult immigration legal aid organizations in their community, or contact Rep. Casar’s office. Nueva News will follow this story as additional information confirmed by authorities emerges.