Texas Judge Orders Release of Mother and Five Children, ICE Re-Arrests Them Days Later

The release of an Egyptian family from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention after nearly a year highlights the profound health consequences of prolonged family separation and uncertainty in immigration proceedings, according to medical and public health experts.

Hayam El Gamal and her five children, aged 5 to 18, were released from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley on Thursday, April 23, 2026, following a federal judge’s order. Their detention began in June 2025 after the father, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was charged with hate crimes related to a 2025 attack in Colorado. The mother and children have not been charged with any crimes.

Although the family was released on Thursday, U.S. Immigration agents re-arrested them two days later and attempted to deport them. A federal judge in San Antonio halted the deportation flight mid-air, ordering the family returned to the United States. A second federal judge in Colorado issued a similar order Saturday evening, reiterating that the family should not be deported while litigation continues.

The family’s attorney, Eric Lee, described the episode as “a dark moment in U.S. History” and said the family had been subjected to what he called an “extraordinary rendition” in violation of multiple court orders. He stated that the family was punished for crimes committed by someone else.

Medical professionals warn that prolonged detention and the threat of family separation can cause severe and lasting psychological harm, particularly in children. The American Academy of Pediatrics has stated that detention, even for short periods, can cause fear, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress in immigrant children. Extended detention increases the risk of developmental delays, disrupted attachment, and long-term mental health disorders.

Studies have shown that children in immigration detention are at higher risk for anxiety disorders, suicidal ideation, and chronic stress-related conditions. The uncertainty of potential deportation, especially after release and re-detention, exacerbates trauma and undermines a child’s sense of safety and stability. Pediatricians emphasize that family unity is a critical determinant of child health, and forced separation violates fundamental principles of pediatric care.

Public health experts note that the stress of detention affects not only mental health but also physical well-being. Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, increase inflammation, and contribute to cardiovascular and metabolic conditions over time. Access to consistent medical care, nutrition, and mental health services is often inconsistent in detention facilities, raising concerns about untreated health needs.

The El Gamal family’s case has drawn attention from medical advocates who argue that immigration policies should prioritize health and human dignity. Organizations such as Physicians for Human Rights and the American Medical Association have called for an end to family detention, citing evidence that alternatives to detention are more effective, less costly, and far less harmful to health.

As of Sunday, April 26, 2026, the El Gamal family has been released from ICE custody and returned to their home in Colorado. Their attorneys confirmed the family arrived home that morning. The family’s legal team continues to challenge the government’s detention and deportation efforts in federal court.