A mother detained at an immigration facility in Texas was rushed to the emergency room after weeks of worsening pain and delayed medical imaging, according to court filings that allege serious lapses in her medical care.
The case involves Hayman El Gamal, a woman held with her five children at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, where attorneys say she was repeatedly denied diagnostic testing for a growing chest mass before eventually being taken to an emergency department in severe condition.
Delayed diagnosis raises medical concerns
According to a federal court filing, El Gamal first reported a painful abnormal growth in her chest in mid-February. Her attorney alleges that medical staff at the detention center initially recommended a CT scan but later denied the procedure.
Weeks passed as her symptoms worsened, with repeated requests for advanced imaging reportedly rejected or delayed. During that time, she was allegedly given only basic pain relief and general care instructions, despite ongoing and intensifying pain.
When she was eventually transported to an emergency room, doctors identified fluid around her heart, a condition known as pericardial effusion, and recommended further urgent testing.
Attorneys allege denial of follow-up care
El Gamal’s legal team says that even after emergency evaluation, requests for additional diagnostic procedures—including an ultrasound—were denied by immigration authorities and the private contractor operating the facility.
Her attorney, Eric Lee, claims that multiple independent physicians who reviewed her medical records concluded she may require further evaluation for serious conditions, including potential cancer, autoimmune disease, or cardiac complications.
Medical experts cited in the filing expressed concern that delayed diagnosis could significantly worsen outcomes if underlying conditions are not treated promptly.
Detention center and government responses
The Dilley facility, operated by private contractor CoreCivic, declined to comment specifically on El Gamal’s case, citing ongoing litigation and patient privacy laws. However, the company said its medical staff is qualified and committed to providing appropriate care and emergency response when needed.
The Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not respond directly to questions about the allegations. Federal officials have previously defended conditions at immigration facilities, stating that detainees receive necessary medical services and access to healthcare professionals.
Family detained following criminal case involving relative
El Gamal and her children were detained after the arrest of her then-husband, who has since been implicated in a separate criminal case involving a fatal incident in Colorado. The family has said they had no knowledge of his alleged actions and has challenged their continued detention.
The children, ranging in age from 5 to 18, have been held for more than 10 months at the Dilley facility, according to court documents.
Legal advocates argue that the length of detention exceeds limits set under prior settlement agreements governing the treatment of migrant families.
Court requests emergency release and medical intervention
El Gamal’s attorney is asking the court to release the family under supervised conditions, including electronic monitoring, or to allow a new bond hearing. He also requested that El Gamal be reunited with her eldest daughter, who recently turned 18, so she can assist in caring for her younger siblings if her mother’s condition worsens.
Government attorneys have opposed the release requests, according to filings.
Doctors warn of potentially serious conditions
Independent medical professionals who reviewed El Gamal’s records at the request of her legal team raised concerns about multiple possible diagnoses, including cardiac complications, autoimmune disease such as lupus, and possible malignancy.
One physician cited in court documents warned that the fluid around her heart and ongoing symptoms could indicate a serious underlying condition requiring urgent specialist care.
Allegations of broader medical neglect
Family members also described additional medical incidents involving children at the facility, including delayed treatment for appendicitis and limited access to post-surgical care.
These accounts have not been independently verified, and federal agencies have not publicly addressed the specific allegations.
CoreCivic has denied systemic neglect, stating that its facilities are equipped to provide culturally sensitive, patient-centered care and that emergency services are activated when needed.
Ongoing legal battle over detention and care
El Gamal’s case is part of a broader legal dispute over the detention of migrant families and the medical standards provided in immigration facilities.
Her attorneys argue that the current situation represents an urgent health risk requiring immediate court intervention, while government officials maintain that detention policies are lawful and medically adequate.
As legal proceedings continue, her condition and access to further diagnostic care remain central issues in the case.
