Family released from longest immigration detention under Trump administration

A U.S. district judge, Fred Biery, ordered the release of Hayam El Gamal and her five children, marking the end of their over 10-month immigration detention, the longest under Donald Trump’s second administration. The family was taken into federal custody last June following a firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, for which El Gamal's ex-husband, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged. Eric Lee, the family’s lawyer, confirmed their release, stating, "The El Gamal family is free."

Despite their release, El Gamal and her eldest child, Habiba Soliman, will be required to wear ankle monitors. The family had been held at the Dilley detention center in Texas, a facility known for its controversial practices. The Department of Homeland Security criticized the ruling, labeling Judge Biery as an "activist judge" and asserting that the family was being released onto American streets despite their connection to a terrorist act. The government is continuing to investigate the family's knowledge of Soliman's plans.

The family’s legal team argued that they were unlawfully detained and that their health deteriorated during their time in custody, with El Gamal experiencing severe medical issues. The DHS contended that the family received medical care and due process throughout their detention. This case highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement and judicial oversight, particularly in cases involving national security concerns.

What to watch: The ongoing investigation by federal agents into the family's knowledge of the attack and any potential implications for their immigration status.