Detained Texas Mother Calls for Medical Aid Following Heart Fluid Diagnosis at ICE Facility

A mother of five detained at the Dilley Detention Center in Texas was taken to the emergency room in early April after several weeks of reported severe chest pain and repeated requests for medical treatment went unmet, according to court documents filed by her attorney.

Hayman El Gamal, who has been held at the facility with her children for more than 10 months, was initially denied a recommended CT scan for a growing lump in her chest. When she was eventually taken off-site for emergency care, tests revealed a buildup of fluid around her heart—known as pericardial effusion. The emergency room physician advised further tests, including an ultrasound, but these requests were not approved by federal immigration authorities or CoreCivic, the private entity managing the center, as indicated in recent legal filings.

El Gamal’s attorney, Eric Lee, filed a complaint in the Western District of Texas, asserting that not only has she been systemically denied adequate medical attention, but that ongoing delays could jeopardize her life. Three independent physicians reviewing her case recommended urgent evaluations for cancer, cardiac, and autoimmune conditions and raised alarm over the medications prescribed, which could worsen gastrointestinal issues if present.

El Gamal and her children, ranging in age from 5 to 18, have been in detention since June 2023 after family patriarch Mohamed Sabry Soliman was arrested in connection with a fatal attack in Colorado. U.S. authorities have sought to deport the family, and their prolonged detention has drawn scrutiny, as rules set by federal court settlement generally prohibit holding children longer than 20 days.

Despite multiple court motions, including requests for release under monitoring and a new bond hearing, federal officials have continued to oppose any reduction in the family's detention. A previous immigration court ruling granting bond was overturned on appeal. El Gamal’s legal team continues to challenge the justification for the family's extended confinement.

CoreCivic, responding to inquiries about medical care at Dilley, stated it could not discuss individual cases but maintained that its facilities are staffed with licensed medical professionals and that emergency situations are addressed promptly. The Department of Homeland Security has not provided comment regarding El Gamal's situation.

As of now, El Gamal remains at Dilley without a confirmed diagnosis or a treatment plan for her medical issues. Legal efforts for her release and for appropriate medical intervention are ongoing.