The White House announced on Tuesday (June 3) that the family members of Mohamed Soliman, the suspect of the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, could be deported that night. The White House posted on social platform X, stating that six one-way tickets were given to the wife and five children of the suspect Soliman, with the final boarding call imminent.
Accompanied by Soliman’s photo, the post’s headline read: “Illegal immigrant suspected of launching anti-Semitic Molotov cocktail attack, his wife and children to be deported as soon as tonight.”
This deportation action aligns with Secretary of State Rubio’s statement on June 2, indicating the government’s strict enforcement of immigration rules, taking stern measures against “terrorists and their family members, supporters,” including visa revocation and deportation.
The post was made approximately two hours after the announcement by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem that Soliman and his family were detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Soliman, originally from Egypt, had been illegally residing in the United States after his visa and work permit expired, living with his wife and five children in Colorado Springs, Colorado. To investigate the extent of his family’s knowledge of the incident, their involvement, or any support offered, law enforcement authorities have detained Soliman’s family members.
Based on an affidavit from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Soliman informed investigators that he left a message for his family at home before driving to Boulder, using a mobile phone concealed in a desk drawer.
The FBI also stated that Soliman admitted to specifically targeting Jewish individuals in his attack, displaying hatred in his actions.
Soliman faces multiple federal and state charges for allegedly using a homemade flamethrower and Molotov cocktails against demonstrators during a protest on June 1, resulting in at least ten Jewish supporters being injured by burns. Officials reported that the incident led to eight individuals being hospitalized, with four sustaining minor injuries. At least one person is in critical condition. Soliman himself was injured and had bandages on his head in detention photos.
Soliman is currently being held in Boulder County Jail without bail unless he posts a ten million-dollar bond.
Following the Colorado incident, many praised government officials for strengthening immigration enforcement. However, some criticized the government for inadequate enforcement, such as Republican federal congressman from Colorado, Gabe Evans, questioning the state’s sanctuary policy, which may have led to authorities failing to identify and arrest him early due to enforcement loopholes.