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Egyptian family detained 323 days, re-arrested after court-ordered release, freed mid-deportation

Apr 27, 2026 · Denver, CO, Egypt

Egyptian family detained 323 days, re-arrested after court-ordered release, freed mid-deportation

Hayam El Gamal and her five children, Egyptian citizens who entered the U.S. on B-1 visitor visas in 2022, were detained at Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas in June 2025 after overstaying their visas. The family was detained based on the alleged criminal actions of their estranged father, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who was later convicted of 101 charges including murder, though the family members were never charged with any crimes and stated they were estranged from Soliman and unaware of his plans. During nine months in detention, the family endured moldy and wormy food, inadequate medical care including failure to treat a 5-year-old's severe dental cavities, and religious freedom violations. Her 16-year-old son described the experience as "a nightmare" that made it difficult to return to normal life, writing that "nothing is normal anymore because you live in fear of going back to that place." An immigration judge granted the family bond in September 2025, but DHS appealed and obtained a stay. On April 24, 2026, a federal judge ordered their release; two days later, ICE re-arrested the family during a routine check-in at an ICE office in Denver and transported them to Denver International Airport for immediate deportation in violation of the federal court order. During transport and on a private jet, the family was subjected to verbal abuse, medical neglect, and physical restraint despite a medical emergency. Federal judges issued emergency orders blocking the removal and turning the plane around mid-air. The family was released on April 27 pending litigation on their asylum case, with electronic monitoring required as a condition of release.

Timeline

Apr 27, 2026Federal judges issued emergency orders blocking removal and turning plane around mid-air; family released pending litigation on asylum case with electronic monitoring required
Apr 26, 2026ICE re-arrested family during routine check-in at ICE office in Denver and transported them to Denver International Airport for immediate deportation
Apr 24, 2026Federal judge ordered family's release
Sep 1, 2025Immigration judge granted family bond; DHS appealed and obtained a stay
Jun 1, 2025Hayam El Gamal and five family members detained at Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas after overstaying B-1 visitor visas

Sources

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