A woman and her five children, who spent over 10 months in immigration detention—the longest family detention under Donald Trump's second administration—were released on Thursday following a judge's order, according to their attorney.
Judge's Ruling
US District Judge Fred Biery of the Western District of Texas mandated the family's release. Hayam El Gamal and her children, aged five to 18, had been in federal custody since last June after a firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, for which her ex-husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was charged. An 82-year-old woman injured in that attack later died.
Family's Release Conditions
“The El Gamal family is free,” stated Eric Lee, the family's lawyer. However, El Gamal and her eldest child, 18-year-old Habiba Soliman, must wear ankle monitors. The family had been held at the controversial Dilley detention center in remote southern Texas.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), criticized the ruling, calling it the work of an “activist judge” who was “releasing this terrorist’s family onto American streets.”
Background of the Case
Soliman was arrested for the attack on a gathering commemorating Israeli hostages held by Hamas militants in Gaza after the 7 October 2023 assault. El Gamal divorced Soliman after his arrest and condemned the attack, according to NBC News.
The family's legal team argued they had no prior knowledge of the suspect's plans and that their detention was unlawful. The government stated that federal agents were investigating “to what extent” the family knew about the attack.
Health Concerns During Detention
The legal team also claimed the family's health deteriorated due to lack of proper medical care. Lee noted that El Gamal was taken to an off-site emergency room this month after “experiencing excruciating pain,” and a CT scan revealed “fluid around the heart.” All five children were reportedly suffering from depression.
In response, the DHS asserted that the family received medical care and due process throughout their detention.
