Colorado Democrats shielded illegal aliens from deportation just weeks before an Egyptian national carried out a terrorist attack against pro-Israel protesters, highlighting how sanctuary policies directly endanger American citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa, attacked pro-Israel demonstrators with a Molotov cocktail in Boulder, Colorado
- Weeks before the attack, Colorado Democrats passed a law preventing local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE, imposing fines up to $50,000 on those who assist federal immigration authorities
- The legislation redirects fine money to a state-run fund providing free legal services to illegal immigrants facing deportation
- The Biden administration granted Soliman a work permit despite his illegal status, allowing him to remain in the country
- The terror attack exemplifies how Democrat-led sanctuary policies undermine public safety and national security
Terror Attack Exposes Dangerous Immigration Policies
An Egyptian national who shouted “Free Palestine” while attacking pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado has brought national attention to Democrats’ sanctuary policies that shield illegal immigrants from deportation. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who had overstayed his visa and remained in the United States illegally, used a makeshift flamethrower in what the FBI has officially designated as a targeted terror attack against an event supporting Israeli hostages. The attack left eight people injured and revealed the dangerous consequences of sanctuary policies implemented by Colorado Democrats.
Despite clear evidence of the attack’s nature, some media outlets attempted to downplay its severity. CNN pundits even criticized the FBI for labeling the incident as terrorism, demonstrating a concerning pattern of minimizing violence when committed by those in the country illegally. Meanwhile, a separate incident involving the murder of a black South Carolina mother by six illegal migrants has received minimal coverage from mainstream media, further highlighting selective reporting on immigration-related crimes.
Colorado’s Anti-ICE Legislation
Just weeks before Soliman’s attack, Colorado Democrats passed sweeping legislation designed to obstruct federal immigration enforcement. The law, signed by Governor Jared Polis, explicitly bars local law enforcement from honoring ICE detainer requests, prevents data sharing with federal immigration authorities, and imposes severe financial penalties on those who assist ICE. This legislative shield created the perfect environment for individuals like Soliman to remain in the country despite having no legal right to stay.
“One of the reasons why I appreciate this bill so much is that it is one of few that is really taking seriously the crisis that the federal administration poses for immigrants in particular and for marginalized people generally,” said Democrat state representative Yara Zokaie.
Perhaps most troubling, the Colorado legislation redirects fines collected from those who cooperate with ICE—up to $50,000 per violation—to fund the state’s Immigration Legal Defense Fund, which provides free legal services to illegal immigrants facing deportation proceedings. This creates a perverse system where those who help enforce immigration law are punished financially, with those funds then used to help others evade immigration enforcement.
Biden Administration’s Role
The terrorist who carried out the Boulder attack had not only overstayed his visa but was subsequently granted a work permit by the Biden administration. This decision allowed him to remain in the country despite his illegal status, exemplifying how current federal policies compound the problems created by state-level sanctuary laws. The combined effect creates a system where dangerous individuals can easily evade detection and removal.
“A terror attack was committed in Boulder, Colorado by an illegal alien. He was granted a tourist visa by the Biden Administration and then he illegally overstayed that visa. In response, the Biden Administration gave him a work permit. Suicidal migration must be fully reversed,” said White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
ICE Fighting Back Against Sanctuary Policies
In response to the growing number of sanctuary jurisdictions hampering immigration enforcement, ICE recently conducted its largest-ever operation in Massachusetts, resulting in the arrest of 1,461 illegal aliens. The operation specifically targeted individuals with criminal convictions, pending charges, or outstanding deportation orders, including murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, and child sex predators. Many of those arrested had previously been released by local jurisdictions despite ICE detainer requests.
“If sanctuary cities would change their policies and turn these violent criminal aliens over to us into our custody instead of releasing them into the public, we would not have to go out to the communities and do this,” said acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.
Massachusetts Democratic Governor Maura Healey expressed outrage over the operation, particularly regarding the arrest of an 18-year-old student, highlighting the stark contrast between those prioritizing enforcement of immigration laws and Democrat officials determined to shield illegal immigrants from deportation regardless of the public safety implications. The Colorado terror attack serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences when political agendas take precedence over public safety and national security.
