Federal Judge Orders Release of Egyptian Family from Immigration Detention
A federal judge in Texas has mandated the release of an Egyptian family of six, including their 5-year-old twins. This family has been among the longest-held detainees at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, which is the sole federal immigration facility designated for the detention of parents and their children.
Legal Challenges Highlight Concerns About Care and Treatment
The ruling represents a significant milestone in the family’s nearly year-long ordeal, during which they have raised serious concerns regarding medical neglect and food safety. Their attorney disclosed last week that the mother had been taken to the emergency room due to unexplained physical symptoms, raising fears she might be facing a serious illness, potentially worsened by the inadequate medical care available to detainees.
Attorney Claims Ruling Affirms Unconstitutionality of Detention
“A federal court has ruled that the Trump administration’s detention of the El Gamal family is unconstitutional,” stated Eric Lee, an attorney based in Michigan representing the family. “While we feel vindicated, the family remains in custody despite the court’s ruling. Ten and a half months into their ordeal, we continue to urge the executive branch to release them immediately.”
Government Response Remains Unclear
Representatives from both the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department’s Office of Immigration Review, which supervises immigration courts, have not responded to inquiries regarding the case.
Background of the El Gamal Family’s Detention
The El Gamal family entered the United States on tourist visas in 2022 and later sought asylum. They have been in detention since June last year when the father, Mohamed Sabri Soliman, was accused of attacking mostly Jewish demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, using petrol bombs. This incident resulted in injuries to at least 29 individuals, and an 82-year-old woman reportedly succumbed to her injuries. Soliman has pleaded not guilty, but he remains in federal custody facing over 100 charges related to these allegations.
Family Claims Innocence and Disconnection from Father
While Soliman is under indictment, his wife and five children have not been charged with any crime. They assert that they were unaware of the father’s intentions and describe their relationship as estranged. According to legal representatives, the family has since disowned Soliman and is no longer in contact with him; in fact, his wife has filed for divorce.
Public Outrage Sparks Attention to Family’s Plight
The family gained significant public attention earlier this year when their attorney shared poignant accounts from the children, detailing their harrowing experiences at the Dilley facility. One 9-year-old boy conveyed, “We’ve been here for nine months. I really miss playing with the toys and clocks. Please get us out of here.” Another child, a 16-year-old boy, described witnessing food with visible mold and insects, underscoring the troubling conditions they faced.
