5-year-old boy, father detained by federal agents in Minnesota can't be deported: Judge

A federal judge has ruled that a Minnesota preschooler detained alongside his father can't be deported. For now.

The ruling, filed in court on Jan. 27, says the government cannot remove Adrian Conejo Arias or his son, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, while the case is pending and until further order of the court, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery said.

USA TODAY has reached out to Conejo's attorney, the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

The detention of Conejo and Liam made national headlines and drew criticism after photos circulated showing the 5-year-old being detained in the driveway of his home as he wore a blue bunny hat on Jan. 20.

When an adult known to the family offered to take Liam, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement refused and instead led the boy to his front door and ordered him to knock – "essentially using a 5-year-old as bait," according to a news release from Columbia Heights Public Schools.