Unexpected Turn of Events for Family Detained by ICE in Texas
In a dramatic twist, Hayam El Gamal and her five children were released from a Texas ICE detention center only to be re-detained two days later in a series of events that have drawn significant legal scrutiny. Their release was initially ordered by a Texas federal judge who also instructed the government not to deport them.
The family’s ordeal began after El Gamal’s husband was implicated in a high-profile case in June 2025. He was charged with attempted murder for allegedly attacking Colorado protesters with Molotov cocktails. The family, however, maintains their innocence, claiming no knowledge of his actions.
Upon returning to Colorado and reporting for a mandatory ICE check-in, El Gamal and her children were unexpectedly detained again. ICE attempted to deport them to Egypt despite the judge’s orders prohibiting such action, according to their legal representatives.
“They were horrified,” expressed Chris Godshall-Bennett, one of their attorneys.
The situation escalated when ICE reportedly placed the family on a plane for deportation. Their legal team swiftly intervened, seeking emergency rulings from federal courts. Judges Fred Biery in Texas and Nina Wang in Colorado reiterated the government’s orders not to deport the family.
The flight was redirected, and the family returned to Denver late Saturday night. Godshall-Bennett criticized the government’s actions, stating, “There’s a word for that. It’s kidnapping. The government’s behavior yesterday was entirely beyond the pale.”
The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to NPR, did not confirm the re-detention or address the alleged violation of the court orders. DHS spokeswoman Lauren Bis contended that the family had been given due process and emphasized the intention to deport “terrorists and their associates.”
The family’s legal journey began in 2022 when they entered the U.S. on tourist visas and subsequently applied for asylum. Their application was denied after Soliman’s charges last June. El Gamal, now divorced from Soliman, filed a second asylum application while in detention.
In an earlier interview with NPR, El Gamal’s eldest daughter, Habiba, shared the family’s struggles during their detention, describing herself as “completely broken.” She firmly denied any knowledge of her father’s actions and emphasized their disassociation from him.
The family’s legal counsel, Godshall-Bennett, argues that the deportation efforts are punitive rather than legal. “It’s about collectively punishing this family for the actions of Mr. Soliman,” he stated, accusing the administration of constitutional violations.
The legal battle to secure the family’s right to remain in the U.S. continues as their lawyers prepare to challenge the administration’s actions further.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
