Our Neighbors’ Story - Learn more about Hayam El Gamal and her 5 children

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.

Petition for Family’s Release

Over 1,000 signatures have been captured in support of their release. Add your signature here.

Their GoFundMe

Nearly $100,000 has been raised to support this family’s transition back into their community in Colorado Springs. Learn more about this fundraiser here.

Press Conference in Jan 2026

In January, Colo Springs community members gathered to ask for this family’s release. Read about their statements here.

Habiba’s Own Words

Habiba, the eldest daughter, bravely released a statement about their story and their experience in detention. Read it here.

UPDATE: 4/1/26

As of this week, Hayam El Gamal and her five children have been held in detention at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas for 10 MONTHS.

Recent visits from community members during spring break have provided both encouragement to the family and a clearer picture of the serious conditions they are facing.

Current Concerns

1. Urgent Medical Needs (Mother)

Hayam is visibly ill and reports that her body is “shutting down.”
She has a history of cancer.
She has visible spots on her face and worsening symptoms.
Despite this, she has been told her next medical appointment is five months away.

2. Untreated Dental Pain (5-Year-Old Child)

One of the twins had dental treatment scheduled in Colorado Springs for June 2025 that was missed due to detention.
The child is now living with ongoing, significant pain.
Treatment has been limited to over-the-counter pain medication, without adequate dental care.

3. Inability to Safely Self-Deport

The family has been told they can only self-deport if their records are marked with a “terrorism” designation, including for the children.
This designation would place them at serious risk if returned to Egypt.
As a single mother who has cooperated with U.S. authorities and denounced her husband, Hayam would face additional cultural and safety risks.

4. Family Separation and Emotional Trauma

Habiba, the eldest daughter, is being housed separately from her mother and siblings.
She is allowed to see them only one hour per day.
She is experiencing significant emotional distress and fear of permanent separation from her family.

5. Living Conditions and Child Welfare

Limited access to fresh, nutritious food (including reports of children asking for basic items like fruit).
Inadequate mental health support despite prolonged detention and trauma.
Lack of consistent educational opportunities for the children.

Why This Matters

This is not a short-term situation. Nearly 10 months of detention has had visible physical, emotional, and developmental impacts on this family—particularly on the children.

The combination of:

delayed medical care
untreated pain
prolonged family separation
and uncertain legal status

has created an increasingly urgent humanitarian situation.

How You Can Help

Contact elected officials and request intervention on behalf of the El Gamal family
Raise awareness by sharing their story with your community
Stay informed and engaged through updates and advocacy efforts.
Contribute to their commissary account to help them purchase fresh water and food that is edible. Dedicate your donation to Hayam El Gamal. We have vetted and used this resource.