Midwest
Deputy AG denies 5-year-old, father has asylum claim after family released from ICE detention
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Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday that the 5-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by ICE in Minneapolis last month, did not apply for asylum, as officials announced that the family was released over the weekend.
Blanche said there have been conflicting claims regarding the legal status of the boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, who entered the U.S. in 2024, according to public reporting, though officials and the family’s lawyers dispute the circumstances of their entry and asylum processing. Lawyers representing the Ecuadorian family say they have an active asylum claim currently being processed, allowing them to remain in the country pending a court decision.
The deputy attorney general denied that they have a pending asylum case, echoing previous claims by the Department of Homeland Security, which described the family as being in the country illegally.
“That is not true. There’s a very meaningful dispute about whether they had properly applied for asylum,” Blanche said during an appearance on ABC’s “This Week.”
FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS TRUMP ADMIN TO RELEASE 5-YEAR-OLD, HIS DAD FROM IMMIGRATION DETENTION WITHIN 3 DAYS
“I cannot get into the … specifics of this litigation, but you can read the same briefs I can. And what you just said is not true.”
While some immigrants detained by federal agents do not have prior criminal records, Blanche added that the Trump administration considers unauthorized entry into the U.S. a crime and believes such individuals should be detained.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a press conference on August 11, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
“The fact that they’re here illegally is a crime,” he said. “And so when you say they don’t have criminal records, they are – by their presence being here without status, having come into this country illegally or overstayed illegally, that is a crime.”
“There is a schism in the law right now about whether an illegal alien can be held pending their proceeding or whether they need to be released on bail,” he added. “We very strongly believe that they should be held and there’s a bunch of appellate cases.”
MEDIA RUNS WILD WITH ‘EGREGIOUS LIE’ ICE TARGETED 5-YEAR-OLD IN MINNESOTA, DHS SAYS CHILD WAS ABANDONED
Liam Conejo Ramos sits with father Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias after getting released from a detention facility in Texas. (Joaquin Castro)
Blanche’s comments come after several days of widespread backlash from attorneys and lawmakers who condemned the operation that detained the five‑year‑old when his father picked him up from school on Jan. 20.
The boy and his father were released from a detention center in Dilley, Texas, on Saturday, after a judge issued a ruling earlier in the day.
Liam Conejo Ramos and his father pass through airport security after their release from federal custody on Feb. 1, 2026. (Joaquin Castro)
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, posted on social media Sunday that he picked up the family Saturday night and escorted them back to Minnesota the next morning.
In a letter he also shared, the congressman wrote to the boy: “Don’t let anyone tell you this isn’t your home. America became the most powerful, prosperous nation on earth because of immigrants not in spite of them.”
Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, poses with Liam Conejo Ramos, father Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., following the family’s release from a detention center in Texas. (Rep. Ilhan Omar)
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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., celebrated their release on social media with a photo of her standing next to the family and Castro, writing, “Liam is home now and we are grateful to Joaquin Castro for traveling to Minneapolis with him and his dad. Welcome home Liam.”
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Michigan
Michigan health expert talks impact of Canadian wildfire smoke: There’s really a long list of who is at risk”
The current air quality in Michigan has doctors, especially cardiologists, concerned for their patients.
Dr. Herb Aronow, the chair of heart and vascular health at Henry Ford Health, says unhealthy air affects everyone with heart and vascular diseases, even those who haven’t been diagnosed yet.
“There’s really a long list of who is at risk,” said Aronow.
That’s why Aronow wants people to be aware and prepared. While many may think breathing in unhealthy air will only impact your lungs, Aronow says wildfires produce microscopic particles that can get into your blood.
“Once they are there, they create problems with inflammation and other mechanisms and we all know inflammation leads to heart disease and can lead to those with heart disease to have events,” said Aronow.
Aronow says this could lead to someone needing emergency care, but there are ways to protect yourself.
“If you have a symptom that’s suspicious for heart disease, you need to seek attention immediately, and more often than not, that’s means you need to call 911,” said Aronow.
The best way to avoid harmful air is to stay in an air-conditioned space. If you have an indoor air filter that can also reduce the poor air coming into your home.
“If you already have heart or blood vessel disease and you need to be outdoors for some reason is that you can wear a N95 respirator an N95 mask. Those are very effective,” said Aronow.
If you must go outside, check the air quality at the location you are at or plan to visit.
Minnesota United, the Liberia Lone Star National Football Team and SARX today announced that the international friendly against the Liberia National Team, scheduled for July 26, 2026, has been canceled.
While we were looking forward to welcoming the Liberia National Team and celebrating the strong ties between Minnesota’s Liberian community and our club, circumstances outside of our control have made it necessary to cancel the match. We appreciate the understanding of our supporters and wish the Liberia National Team all the best.
Fans who purchased tickets to the match will be refunded within approximately 3-10 business days.
Missouri
Missouri teen Gabbriana Boyster shot dead in home as mom makes horrifying discovery; 3 friends charged
A Missouri teen was shot dead while hanging out with her friends, who are accused of not reporting the killing before her mother made the horrifying discovery inside their home.
Gabbriana Boyster, 16, was allegedly struck in the head in a Hillsboro, Missouri, home Friday night — with her body not being found by her mom, Candy G’Sell, until the following afternoon, KDSK reported.
“I walked in the room and she was laying there… sitting up,” the grieving mother told the outlet.
G’Sell immediately called 911, but by the time paramedics arrived, her daughter had already been dead for hours.
Investigators with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said Boyster was shot Friday evening, and her body remained inside the home “for hours” until her mother made the devastating discovery, according to the outlet.
Police did not disclose what led to the fatal shooting or who owned the weapon.
Three boys were at Boyster’s home at the time of the shooting, investigators suspect, and one has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon resulting in death, armed criminal action, and abandonment of a corpse.
The two other juveniles were released from custody following charges of abandonment of a corpse.
The identities of all three minors are being withheld by authorities due to their ages.
G’Sell said the three boys were friends with her daughter.
“It’s not fair. My daughter was sweet and innocent and kind. And she loved her friends… for them, her friends, to just leave her…” the grief-stricken mother said.
“There’s no relief. My baby is gone. What mother wants to bury their baby?”
Gabby, as she was known to loved ones, was an incoming junior at Hillsboro High School with dreams of becoming an ultrasound technician after graduation.
The district’s superintendent, Dr. Jon Isaacson, released a statement Tuesday saying that “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable loss,” KMOV reported.
“While words cannot take away the pain of this tragedy, we want our students, staff, and families to know they are not alone. We are committed to providing support and care for everyone who is grieving during this difficult time.”
Boyster, the youngest of three siblings, “brought warmth and laughter to those fortunate enough to know her,” according to an online obituary.
“Although she could be quiet at first, once she opened up, her vibrant personality and gift for conversation quickly shined through,” the obituary read.
“Her kind heart, playful spirit, and the joy she brought to others will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.”
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