Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who overstayed his visa and was granted work authorization under the Biden administration, attacked elderly Holocaust survivors with a flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine” in Boulder, Colorado, sparking immediate immigration policy changes under President Trump.
Key Takeaways
- ICE is enhancing its 24/7 tip line with additional staffing following the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado perpetrated by an illegal immigrant who overstayed his visa.
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa in August 2022, overstayed after February 2023, yet received work authorization from the Biden administration in March 2023.
- The attack targeted Jewish Americans participating in a “Run for Their Lives” event supporting hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, with one victim being a Holocaust survivor.
- President Trump’s administration is ramping up deportation operations, aiming to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000 nationwide.
- While border security receives significant attention, visa overstays account for approximately 40% of undocumented individuals in the U.S., with an estimated 400,000 overstays in fiscal year 2023.
Boulder Terror Attack Exposes Immigration System Failures
The Boulder, Colorado terrorist attack has exposed critical vulnerabilities in America’s immigration system, particularly regarding visa overstays. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the 45-year-old Egyptian national charged with the attack, legally entered the United States on a tourist visa in August 2022. Despite his visa expiring in February 2023, Soliman remained in the country illegally and was subsequently granted work authorization by the Biden administration after applying for asylum in March 2023. This case highlights how individuals with potential terrorist motivations can exploit immigration loopholes to remain in the country despite no legal right to stay.
Soliman allegedly attacked pro-Israel activists at an outdoor mall in Boulder using a makeshift flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine.” The victims were participating in a “Run for Their Lives” protest supporting hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. Eight adults were injured, including elderly victims, with one being a Holocaust survivor. Soliman now faces multiple charges including attempted murder, crimes against at-risk and elderly adults, using incendiary devices, and assault, with additional federal hate crime charges pending as he remains detained in Boulder County Jail.
Trump Administration Strengthens Immigration Enforcement
In direct response to this attack, President Trump’s administration is rapidly expanding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) capabilities to identify and remove illegal immigrants who pose security risks. The enhanced 24/7 tip line will have increased staffing to gather information from both the public and authorities nationwide, focusing on accelerating the identification and deportation of dangerous individuals who have violated immigration laws. This measure represents a significant shift from the previous administration’s policies that critics argue enabled dangerous individuals to remain in the country.
“For four years, the Biden Administration allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens – including terrorists, gang members, and other violent criminals – to pour into our country. Yesterday’s terrorist attack by a suspect illegally in our country underscores the importance of getting these illegal aliens out of our country,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The Trump administration is implementing an aggressive deportation strategy, with plans to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000. ICE operations are already conducting sweeps across the country, prioritizing individuals who pose security threats or have criminal histories. This marked escalation in enforcement activities demonstrates the administration’s commitment to addressing what they view as critical national security vulnerabilities left unaddressed by previous leadership.
Visa Overstays: The Overlooked Immigration Crisis
While illegal border crossings dominate immigration debates, visa overstays represent a significant yet under-addressed component of America’s immigration challenges. Approximately 40% of undocumented individuals in the United States initially entered legally and subsequently overstayed their visas. In fiscal year 2023 alone, an estimated 400,000 visa overstays occurred nationwide, including approximately 2,400 Egyptian nationals like Soliman who remained in the country after their authorized stay expired.
“This segment has not received nearly as much attention as people entering illegally across the U.S.-Mexico border because they are simply not as visible,” said Stephen Yale-Loehr, immigration law professor.
Identifying and tracking visa overstays presents unique challenges compared to border security. Until now, enforcement mechanisms have not adequately prioritized this category of immigration violations, creating a significant security vulnerability. The Boulder attack demonstrates how individuals with potential terrorist motivations can exploit these system weaknesses, entering the country legally before disappearing into American society. This case has prompted renewed calls for comprehensive immigration reform that addresses both border security and the tracking of individuals legally entering the country.
Justice Department Pursues Hate Crime Charges
The Department of Justice has moved swiftly to address the Boulder attack as both a terrorist incident and a hate crime. The targeting of Jewish Americans participating in an event supporting Israeli hostages, combined with the suspect’s reported statements during the attack, clearly establishes an antisemitic motivation. Federal authorities are coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure the suspect faces the maximum consequences for his actions under both state and federal law.
“She endured the worst evil in human history. She came to America seeking safety. And now, decades later, she’s victimized again by a terrorist screaming ‘Free Palestine’,” said Leo Terrell, DOJ official, referring to one elderly Holocaust survivor victim.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has emphasized the administration’s commitment to addressing both the specific case and the broader issue of antisemitic violence. “The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world,” stated Bondi. This case represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing effort to protect Jewish Americans from escalating threats while simultaneously addressing immigration security vulnerabilities.
