An immigration judge has deniedLiam Conejo Ramosand his family's asylum claim, their attorney confirmed.
The 5-year-old boy and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were detained on Jan. 20 by immigration agents in Minneapolis and held in a Texas detention facility for over a week. They were released on Feb. 1 after a judge's order.
Attorney Danielle Molliver told ABC News the family was unable to present any evidence in the case before the government filed a motion to terminate the case which a judge granted. Molliver said she has filed an appeal with the Board of Immigration Appeals.
"We understand that this decision will be appealed and remain hopeful for a positive outcome," a spokesperson for Columbia Heights Public School District said earlier confirming the asylum claim denial. "The detention in January of Liam and his father shed light on the harm caused by Operation Metro Surge, during which many children and families have been detained."
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The boy and his fatherwere detainedin January shortly after arriving home from the child's preschool.
Both were taken to a federal detention facility in Dilley, Texas. They had a pending asylum case but no order of deportation.
After being ordered released by a judge, the five-year-old's father told ABC News last month that he wants to remain in the United States with his family, saying they fled Ecuador out of fear.
"I asked for asylum to be here for my family, for my children," Conejo Arias said. "I'm here because I'm scared of returning to my country."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.