An Egyptian family, who had been detained in immigration detention for over 10 months, was taken into custody again by federal authorities on Saturday, April 24, 2026, just two days after a federal court order mandated their release. The family’s legal team quickly responded, calling the detention a violation of court orders.
Family Detained After Complying with ICE Check-In Requirement
The family, consisting of Hayam El Gamal and her five children, ranging from 5 to 18 years old, was arrested less than 48 hours after being granted their release. According to reports from The Colorado Sun, they were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as they complied with the ICE check-in requirement at an office in Denver, Colorado.
Following their check-in, ICE allegedly placed the family on a plane bound for Michigan, with the intention of sending them to an undisclosed international location. However, a federal court intervened, granting an emergency motion that halted the planned deportation.
The family’s lawyer, Eric Lee, posted a statement on Sunday, confirming that ICE had released the El Gamal family after the court ruled that their detention violated prior court orders.
Department of Homeland Security’s Response
In response to the events, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement claiming that the El Gamal family was receiving “full due process” and criticized the judge’s decision to release the family, referring to him as an “activist judge”. Lauren Bis, the DHS acting assistant secretary, added that the family was being released “onto American streets again,” labeling them a “terrorist’s family.”
The statement did not address why the family was detained two days after the court ruling. DHS expressed confidence that they would ultimately prevail in the case, but they did not provide further details on the reasoning behind their actions.
Family’s Legal Struggles and Background
The El Gamal family’s saga began in June 2024 when they were detained by U.S. immigration authorities. Their detention was the longest for a family under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The arrest followed the firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, allegedly carried out by Hayam El Gamal’s ex-husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who was charged with attempted murder, assault, and a federal hate crime.
The U.S. government has maintained that they are investigating how much the El Gamal family knew about Soliman’s involvement in the attack. However, Hayam El Gamal has strongly denied any knowledge of the crime, stating that the family had no involvement in or prior knowledge of Soliman’s actions.
Immigration Policy and Public Reaction
President Donald Trump has long defended his immigration policies, arguing that the crackdown is essential for reducing illegal immigration and combatting crime. However, critics, including human rights groups, have argued that such policies violate basic due process and freedom of speech.
The El Gamal family’s detention and treatment raise significant questions about the balance between national security and the right to due process under U.S. law, especially when it comes to families with no direct ties to criminal activities.
Summary Table of Key Information
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Family’s Name | Hayam El Gamal and her five children (ages 5 to 18) |
| Detention Timeline | Detained for over 10 months, first arrested in June 2024 |
| Initial Detention Reason | Family detained after ex-husband Mohamed Sabry Soliman was charged with attempted murder and a federal hate crime |
| Court Ruling | Federal court orders release on April 22, 2026 following prior detention |
| Second Detention | Detained again on April 24, 2026, after complying with ICE check-in |
| Charges Against DHS | Two counts of violating court orders; family was released after court intervened |
| DHS Statement | Criticized the judge as an “activist” and labeled the family “terrorist’s family” |
| Legal Representation | Eric Lee (family lawyer) confirmed their release after emergency motion |
The El Gamal family’s case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and due process in the U.S. Despite a court order for their release, federal authorities took the family back into custody just days later, igniting further debate over the administration’s immigration policies.
With ongoing legal battles, the family’s situation raises critical questions about the treatment of individuals and families within the immigration system, especially those with no involvement in criminal activities.
As the legal proceedings continue, the El Gamal family faces an uncertain future while advocacy groups and critics of the administration’s immigration policies continue to demand greater protection for families caught in similar circumstances.
