A federal judge has temporarily halted the deportation of Mohamed Sabry Soliman’s wife and five children as legal proceedings continue surrounding the June 1 firebombing attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado.
Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, is accused of throwing Molotov cocktails into a crowd, injuring 15 people and a dog. He currently faces federal hate crime charges and multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder. Soliman had been living in the U.S. on an expired tourist visa and had applied for asylum prior to the attack.
Following his arrest, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took his family into custody, initiating deportation proceedings based on visa violations. However, a federal judge issued an emergency stay, stating that the family’s removal without a proper hearing could cause serious harm, especially with their asylum applications still pending.
The Department of Homeland Security had sought to fast-track the family’s removal but must now await further court review. A hearing has been scheduled for June 13 to determine the next steps.
Critics of the decision argue that any delays in deportation may compromise national security, while defenders emphasize the importance of due process and constitutional protections, even in high-profile criminal cases.
Authorities have not presented evidence linking Soliman’s family to the attack, though investigations remain ongoing. The case has reignited national debate over immigration enforcement, asylum policy, and the legal rights of families tied to individuals facing terrorism charges.