Administrative Office of the United States Courts / YouTube (Left), Boulder Police Department (Right)
A Colorado federal judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting the wife and five children of an Egyptian national accused of firebombing a pro-Israel rally, citing potential “irreparable harm” and due process violations.
The emergency order from US District Court Judge Gordon Gallagher came just one day after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the suspect’s family had been taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and faced imminent removal.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, was arrested June 1 after allegedly hurling incendiary devices into a peaceful “Run for Their Lives” demonstration in Boulder — an event calling attention to Israeli hostages held by Hamas. At least 15 people were injured in what authorities have labeled an act of domestic terrorism.
Witnesses say Soliman shouted “Free Palestine” and “End Zionist” during the attack.
Soliman, who overstayed a nonimmigrant visa granted in 2022, remained in the US illegally after his temporary work permit, approved under the Biden administration, expired in March.
Lawyers representing Soliman’s wife and children filed a lawsuit against the federal government June 4, arguing that deporting the family would constitute unconstitutional “collective or family punishment.”
According to the lawsuit, Gamal “was shocked to learn that her husband (Mohamed Sabry Soliman) was arrested for having committed a violent act against a peaceful gathering of individuals commemorating Israeli hostages.”
“It is patently unlawful to punish individuals for the crimes of their relatives,” the attorneys wrote in a court filing.
Soliman is expected in court Thursday to face 16 counts of attempted murder and 18 charges related to explosive devices, according to Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.
Meanwhile, House Republicans are introducing a resolution condemning the Boulder attack and calling for stricter enforcement of immigration laws — including deportation of individuals who overstay their visas, as was allegedly the case with Soliman.
