Colorado Springs community members Hayam El Gamal and her five children—ages 18, 16, 9, and 5-year-old twins— have been detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, since early June 2025. Ten months of separation from home and loved ones have passed, despite their full cooperation with authorities.

Hayam is a devoted mother enduring the unimaginable. Her twins, who should be starting kindergarten, have now spent much of their short life confined in detention. Hayam’s eldest daughter, Habiba, is a gifted student and was named one of the Gazette’s “Best and Brightest” last year. A volunteer a Children’s Hospital, she had planned to attend college and eventually medical school.

Habiba was separated from the rest of her family with restricted visitation and denied essential religious accommodations. Despite being 18 since June, Habiba was only recently moved away from the rest of her siblings “due to being an adult” just after releasing a statement about her experience in detention.

Beloved members of our community, this family has had their life and community ripped away. They have experienced degradation, loss, and fear. Their father committed a terrible crime but they should not be held accountable; just as all of us are not responsible for the independent actions of another. Children should not be punished for the actions of their parent. This family came here legally and then applied for asylum. Hayam El Gamal and her 5 children are innocent and deserve humane treatment, due process, and freedom.

They are known as joyful classmates, brilliant students, faithful team members, kind playmates, and hospitable neighbors. The children, aged five to eighteen, are full of promise. Their mother is known for her goodness. They are missed and they deserve a life free from confinement (like all children). We are asking for the immediate release of Hayam El Gamal and her five children.