A Holocaust survivor who escaped history’s darkest atrocity only to be viciously attacked by an illegal immigrant shouting “Free Palestine” has become the tragic face of America’s broken immigration system under the previous administration.
Key Takeaways
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa and was granted a work permit by the Biden administration, is charged with using a makeshift flamethrower to attack pro-Israel activists in Boulder, Colorado.
- One of the eight victims was a Holocaust survivor, highlighting the particularly heinous nature of this antisemitic attack.
- Soliman entered the U.S. legally on a tourist visa in August 2022, but remained illegally after it expired in February 2023, exemplifying the often overlooked issue of visa overstays.
- The Trump administration has expanded ICE’s 24/7 tip line to better identify and deport criminal illegal aliens following the attack.
- President Trump and his administration have prioritized border security and deportations to prevent similar attacks, with plans to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000.
Boulder Terror Attack Exposes Immigration Failures
The horrific antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado has laid bare the catastrophic consequences of lax immigration enforcement. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national illegally residing in the United States, allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower to attack participants at a “Run for Their Lives” event supporting hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Court documents reveal Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” during the attack, which injured eight adults, including elderly victims. The incident has intensified debate about the previous administration’s immigration policies that allowed dangerous individuals to remain in the country despite clear violations of immigration law.
Particularly disturbing is the fact that one victim was a Holocaust survivor who came to America seeking refuge. “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.
Visa Overstays: The Hidden Immigration Crisis
While illegal border crossings dominate headlines, the Boulder attack highlights the often-overlooked problem of visa overstays, which account for approximately 40% of all undocumented individuals in the United States. Soliman entered legally on a tourist visa in August 2022, but remained in the country after it expired in February 2023. Even more troubling, he applied for asylum and received a work permit in March 2023 under Biden-era policies, despite having no legal right to remain in the country. This case exemplifies systemic failures that allowed a dangerous individual to exploit America’s immigration system.
“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, an immigration law professor.
In fiscal year 2023 alone, there were an estimated 400,000 visa overstays, including approximately 2,400 Egyptians. The previous administration’s inability to track and deport these individuals created an environment where potentially dangerous foreign nationals could remain undetected until committing violent acts. Soliman now faces serious charges including attempted 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.
Trump Administration Takes Decisive Action
President Trump’s administration has responded swiftly to the terror attack by enhancing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) resources and capabilities. ICE has expanded its 24/7 tip line to better gather information from the public and law enforcement agencies nationwide, creating a more robust system for identifying and removing criminal illegal aliens. This represents a complete reversal of the previous administration’s lax enforcement policies that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to remain in the country, 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. “Yesterday’s terrorist attack by a suspect illegally in our country underscores the importance of getting these illegal aliens out of our country.”
Justice for Victims and Future Prevention
The Department of Justice under President Trump has prioritized this case, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to protecting Jewish Americans and combating antisemitic violence. The suspect now faces both state charges in Colorado and federal hate crime charges, ensuring maximum accountability for this heinous act. Attorney General Pam Bondi has made clear that the perpetrator will face the full force of American justice. Meanwhile, the administration has taken concrete steps to prevent similar attacks by dramatically increasing deportation efforts across the country.
“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.
With plans to increase daily illegal immigrant arrests to 3,000 and conduct sweeps across the country, the Trump administration has demonstrated its commitment to national security through strong immigration enforcement. This case serves as a stark reminder that immigration policy directly impacts public safety, and that proper vetting, tracking, and enforcement are essential to preventing terrorist attacks on American soil.
