An Egyptian illegal immigrant on an expired visa set elderly Holocaust survivors on fire while screaming “Free Palestine” in Boulder, Colorado, exposing catastrophic flaws in Biden’s immigration system that allowed a terrorist to receive work authorization despite being in the country illegally.
Key Takeaways
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa and was granted work authorization under the Biden administration, is charged with setting pro-Israel activists on fire in Boulder, Colorado.
- ICE is expanding its 24/7 tip line capabilities to better identify and deport criminal illegal aliens following this horrific attack that injured eight people, including elderly victims.
- The terrorist shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack that targeted Jewish Americans participating in a protest supporting hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
- This attack highlights that visa overstays account for approximately 40% of illegal immigrants in the United States, with an estimated 400,000 overstays in fiscal year 2023 alone.
- President Trump’s administration is implementing more aggressive deportation measures, with plans to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000 nationwide.
Terror in Boulder Exposes Immigration System Failures
Mohamed Sabry Soliman entered the United States legally on a tourist visa in August 2022, but remained in the country illegally after his visa expired in February 2023. Despite his unlawful status, the Biden administration granted him work authorization in March 2023 following an asylum application. This administrative failure had devastating consequences when Soliman allegedly attacked pro-Israel activists in Boulder, Colorado using a makeshift flamethrower while shouting “Free Palestine.” The attack injured eight adults, including elderly individuals who were participating in a Run for Their Lives protest supporting hostages held in Gaza by Hamas.
Soliman now faces multiple charges including murder, crimes against at-risk and elderly adults, using incendiary devices, and assault. He is currently detained in Boulder County Jail with federal hate crime charges pending. This case highlights the dangerous consequences of lax enforcement of immigration laws that have characterized the Biden administration’s approach to border security and visa management. The Department of Justice has launched a full investigation into what they classify as a terror attack targeting Jewish Americans, a group that has faced increased violence in recent months.
ICE Ramps Up Enforcement Under Trump’s Direction
In response to the Boulder attack, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is significantly expanding its tip line resources to better identify and apprehend criminal illegal aliens. This measure comes as part of President Trump’s broader initiative to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement. The enhanced tip line will feature increased staffing to gather information from the public and law enforcement agencies nationwide, creating a more robust system for tracking and apprehending illegal immigrants who pose security threats.
“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,” stated Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
Secretary Kristi Noem’s leadership at Homeland Security has resulted in a comprehensive strategy that encourages public participation in reporting suspicious activities related to illegal immigration. The Trump administration aims to dramatically increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000, with ICE conducting extensive sweeps across sanctuary cities and regions with high concentrations of illegal aliens. These enforcement measures directly address the security vulnerabilities exposed by the Boulder attack, where an illegal immigrant on an expired visa was able to commit a terrorist act against American citizens.
Visa Overstays: The Overlooked Immigration Crisis
While illegal border crossings dominate headlines, visa overstays represent a significant yet less visible aspect of America’s immigration crisis. Approximately 40% of undocumented individuals in the United States initially entered legally but remained after their visas expired. In fiscal year 2023 alone, an estimated 400,000 visa overstays occurred, with about 2,400 being Egyptian nationals like Soliman. This shadow immigration system has operated with minimal enforcement priority, allowing potentially dangerous individuals to remain undetected within American communities.
“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.
The Boulder attack has spotlighted how the previous administration’s lax enforcement created security gaps that endangered American lives. One victim was particularly notable – a Holocaust survivor who came to America seeking safety only to be attacked by an antisemitic terrorist who should never have been in the country. Attorney General Pam Bondi has emphasized that the Department of Justice will pursue the maximum penalties against Soliman, characterizing the attack as a hate crime motivated by antisemitism. The Trump administration’s renewed focus on immigration enforcement aims to prevent similar tragedies by systematically identifying and removing individuals who abuse America’s immigration system.
Justice for the Victims
The horror of the Boulder attack is magnified by the stories of those who were targeted. Leo Terrell highlighted one particularly heartbreaking case that epitomizes the failure of our immigration system. “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,'” Terrell noted about a Holocaust survivor who was among the victims of Soliman’s attack.
“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.
The Boulder attack serves as a tragic reminder that immigration policies have real-world consequences for American citizens. President Trump’s commitment to strengthening border security, enhancing visa monitoring systems, and prioritizing deportation of dangerous illegal aliens stands in stark contrast to the previous administration’s approach that allowed individuals like Soliman to remain in the country illegally. As this case proceeds through both state and federal courts, it will undoubtedly reinforce the importance of immigration enforcement as a crucial component of national security and public safety.
