Dilley, Texas — A detained mother of five held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in South Texas was rushed to the emergency room in severe pain after weeks of reportedly being denied advanced medical imaging for a growing chest mass, according to court filings submitted by her attorney.
The woman, identified in legal documents as Hayman El Gamal, has been held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center since last year with her children. Her legal team alleges that repeated requests for a CT scan were delayed or rejected by facility officials despite worsening symptoms and medical warnings.
Emergency diagnosis reveals fluid around the heart
After eventually being transported to an outside hospital, El Gamal reportedly underwent a CT scan that revealed fluid accumulation around her heart (pericardial effusion), a condition that can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Emergency physicians later recommended additional testing, including an ultrasound, but attorneys claim the request was not approved by ICE or the private contractor operating the facility.
Her lawyer says she continues to experience “intense and escalating pain,” and that earlier complaints dating back to mid-February were repeatedly addressed only with basic pain medication and general reassurance rather than diagnostic evaluation.
Doctors raise concerns over serious underlying conditions
Independent medical experts who reviewed El Gamal’s records at the request of her legal team warned that her condition could indicate serious underlying illness, including possible cancer, autoimmune disease, or cardiac complications.
One emergency medicine specialist noted that further imaging and cardiac evaluation should have been conducted earlier, while a rheumatology expert suggested testing for conditions such as lupus due to the presence of fluid around the heart and other symptoms.
Another physician reviewing the case raised concerns about possible gastrointestinal complications, noting that commonly prescribed medications may worsen certain undiagnosed conditions.
Legal battle over detention and medical care
El Gamal and her children have been detained for more than 10 months, making them one of the longest-held families at the Dilley facility, according to court filings. Their legal team argues that continued detention violates established limits on holding migrant children, which generally restricts custody duration under federal settlement guidelines.
Attorneys are now asking the court to either release El Gamal to the care of her eldest daughter—who aged out of the family unit—or grant a new bond hearing with supervised release conditions such as ankle monitoring and regular check-ins.
Government attorneys have opposed release, while ICE and the Department of Homeland Security have not publicly commented on the specific allegations. The private contractor managing the facility has denied wrongdoing, stating that it provides appropriate medical services and transfers patients off-site when necessary.
Family says symptoms were repeatedly dismissed
Family members have also described what they say were repeated delays in medical attention inside the facility. They allege that early concerns about El Gamal’s chest lump were minimized and that access to diagnostic tools was limited.
The family’s broader detention case is tied to the arrest of the children’s father, who faces serious criminal allegations in a separate federal matter. The family has stated they were unaware of his alleged actions and have condemned them.
Growing scrutiny over detention healthcare standards
The case has added to ongoing scrutiny of medical care in immigration detention centers, particularly regarding delayed diagnostics and access to specialist treatment. Advocates argue that prolonged detention combined with restricted healthcare access can create serious health risks for vulnerable individuals.
As court proceedings continue, El Gamal’s condition remains under medical observation, with her legal team warning that delays in treatment may have long-term consequences.
