WASHINGTON (TNND) — A federal judge issued a temporary order on Tuesday barring the removal of a 5-year-old boy and his father, who were detained by ICE in Minnesota.

The Department of Homeland Security called their detainment a "hoax by leftists," while Minnesota leaders said the boy was used as bait. After being detained by ICE in Minnesota, the family was sent to the Dilley Immigration Facility in Texas, according to their attorney.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLauglin wrote on the social media platform X that the child was "abandoned."

Minnesota School Superintendent Zena Stevinik said that Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias and his son, Liam Conejo Ramos, were detained in their driveway when the child returned home from preschool.

McLauglin said that "agitators" were on the scene and scared the child.

As School Board Chair Mary Granlund arrived on the scene, she heard a "commotion." She said she was on her way to pick up her kids from school.

During a news conference following the incident, Granlund said she heard, "What are you doing? Don't take the child." She said another witness saw her and recognized that a school staff member was on the scene.

"Please do not open the door!" Granlund said one of the child's guardians said.

McLaughlin said that parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE places the children with a "safe person" that the parents designate.

“Our officers primary concern during the entire operation was the safety and welfare of the child. Following the mother’s abandonment of the child, officers abided by the father’s wishes to keep the child with him and even got the child McDonald’s and played his favorite music. Father and son are together at Dilley," McLaughlin wrote.

Editor's Note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.