An Egyptian national who overstayed his visa and received a work permit under the Biden administration has been charged with using a makeshift flamethrower to attack elderly pro-Israel activists, including a Holocaust survivor, at a Boulder, Colorado mall.
Key Takeaways
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa, is charged with attacking pro-Israel protesters using a makeshift flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine.”
- Soliman remained in the U.S. illegally after his visa expired in February 2023, yet received a work permit in March 2023 after applying for asylum.
- ICE is expanding its 24/7 tip line with additional staff following the attack to enhance intelligence gathering on criminal aliens nationwide.
- The Trump administration plans to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000 and conduct nationwide ICE sweeps to address the immigration crisis.
- The Department of Justice is pursuing federal hate crime charges against Soliman, highlighting the administration’s commitment to combating antisemitic violence.
Boulder Terror Attack Details
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in August 2022, allegedly carried out a terror attack using a makeshift flamethrower against pro-Israel activists in Boulder, Colorado. Soliman reportedly shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack, which injured eight adults, including elderly participants in a “Run for Their Lives” protest supporting hostages held in Gaza by Hamas. The victims were gathered at an outdoor mall when the attack occurred, with local authorities immediately taking Soliman into custody at Boulder County Jail while federal charges are pending.
Particularly disturbing is that one of the victims was a Holocaust survivor, a fact highlighted by Department of Justice official Leo Terrell. “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.
Immigration Status and Biden-Era Policies
Soliman’s presence in the United States exemplifies the glaring failures of the Biden administration’s immigration policies. After entering legally on a tourist visa, Soliman overstayed when it expired in February 2023. Rather than being deported, he applied for asylum and incredibly received a work permit in March 2023, allowing him to remain in the country despite his illegal status. This case highlights how Biden-era policies enabled potential security threats to exploit loopholes in our immigration system, putting American citizens at risk.
“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,” said Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
While much of the immigration debate has focused on illegal border crossings, visa overstays like Soliman’s account for approximately 40% of undocumented individuals in the United States. In fiscal year 2023 alone, there were an estimated 400,000 visa overstays, with about 2,400 Egyptians among them. The tracking and enforcement of these overstays has historically been inadequate, creating a significant security vulnerability that the Trump administration is now addressing with renewed vigor.
Trump Administration’s Response
In response to this horrific attack, the Trump administration is taking decisive action to strengthen immigration enforcement. ICE is expanding its 24/7 tip line with additional staff to gather intelligence on criminal aliens across the country. Secretary Kristi Noem is leading this initiative, encouraging Americans to report suspicious activity related to illegal aliens who may pose threats to communities. This enhanced tip line will improve coordination between federal authorities and local law enforcement to identify and apprehend individuals who have violated immigration laws.
“Yesterday’s terrorist attack by a suspect illegally in our country underscores the importance of getting these illegal aliens out of our country,” stated Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
The Trump administration is planning to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000, with ICE conducting sweeps across the country to remove those who pose a threat to public safety. This aggressive enforcement strategy represents a fundamental shift from the previous administration’s permissive approach to immigration, prioritizing American safety and national security above all else. President Trump has consistently emphasized that secure borders are essential to preventing tragedies like the Boulder attack from occurring in the future.
Justice Department Pursuing Hate Crime Charges
The Department of Justice is pursuing federal hate crime charges against Soliman in addition to the state charges of murder, crimes against at-risk and elderly adults, using incendiary devices, and assault. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made it clear that the administration will hold Soliman accountable to the fullest extent of the law, recognizing the antisemitic nature of the attack and its connection to broader patterns of violence against Jewish Americans that will not be tolerated.
“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,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
This case stands as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of lax immigration enforcement and the critical importance of thorough vetting processes. The Boulder terror attack has galvanized support for President Trump’s immigration policies, which prioritize the safety and security of American citizens over ideological agendas that too often ignore the potential dangers posed by individuals who enter or remain in the country illegally. With strengthened enforcement mechanisms and a commitment to pursuing justice, the administration is working to ensure such attacks do not happen again.
