(DailyVantage.com) – The Boulder terrorist who firebombed a pro-Israel vigil had overstayed his visa for over two years before unleashing a horrific attack that left eight injured and sparked a nationwide immigration crackdown.
Key Takeaways
- Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman attacked a pro-Israel hostage vigil with a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices, injuring eight people
- Soliman had entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2022 which expired in 2023, yet remained in the country illegally
- The FBI immediately classified the attack as domestic terrorism with antisemitic motives
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered a nationwide crackdown on visa overstays in direct response
- The suspect faces 118 state charges including attempted murder, plus federal hate crime charges
Terror Unleashed on Pearl Street
On June 1, 2025, Boulder’s peaceful Pearl Street Mall became a scene of chaos and terror when Mohamed Sabry Soliman targeted participants of the “Run For Their Lives” vigil, a weekly gathering advocating for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. Armed with a makeshift flamethrower and incendiary devices, Soliman attacked the pro-Israel demonstrators while shouting “Free Palestine,” causing severe burns to multiple victims. The swift response of Boulder Police resulted in Soliman’s arrest within just six minutes of the attack, preventing what could have been an even more devastating tragedy.
Two victims suffered such severe burns they required immediate airlift to a specialized burn unit, while six others sustained less severe injuries. The weekly vigil, which had been peacefully advocating for Israeli hostages for months, became the target of what federal authorities immediately classified as an act of domestic terrorism with clear antisemitic motives. This brazen daylight attack in a popular public space sent shockwaves through the Boulder community and across the nation.
Immigration Failure Exposed
Perhaps most disturbing is how Soliman managed to remain in the United States despite having no legal authorization to do so. According to federal authorities, Soliman entered America on a tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. After his visa expired, he filed for asylum and temporarily received a work permit, but both of these authorizations had also expired by March 2023. For over two years, he remained in the country illegally, completely undetected by immigration authorities until his terrorist attack brought him to their attention.
Following the attack, Homeland Security detained Soliman’s wife and five children, launching an investigation into their potential complicity in the attack or knowledge of his plans. This case highlights the glaring weaknesses in America’s immigration enforcement system, where individuals can overstay visas for years without consequence until they commit heinous acts against American citizens and legal residents.
Legal Consequences Mount
The legal response to Soliman’s attack has been swift and severe on both state and federal levels. At the state level, prosecutors have filed an astounding 118 counts against him, including 28 attempted murder charges—14 of which specify “extreme indifference” to human life. Additional charges include assault and numerous explosives-related felonies. The court set Soliman’s bond at $10 million, reflecting the gravity of his alleged crimes and the threat he poses to the community.
Federal authorities have not hesitated to classify the attack as a hate crime, charging Soliman under U.S. Code § 249, which specifically addresses violence motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics. Additional federal charges remain pending as the investigation continues. The Department of Justice’s swift action signals the government’s recognition of the antisemitic nature of the attack.
National Security Response
In direct response to this attack, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on visa overstays, citing Soliman’s case as a clear example of the dangers posed by lax immigration enforcement. The new measures include enhanced coordination between Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to better track and apprehend individuals who remain in the country after their legal authorization expires.
“This attack demonstrates exactly why we must enforce our immigration laws,” said Secretary Noem in her directive to immigration agencies. “When we allow people to remain in our country illegally, we have no way of knowing their intentions or monitoring potential threats. This administration will not tolerate open borders or lax enforcement that puts Americans at risk.”
The directive also includes provisions for expedited deportations of individuals found to be violating the terms of their visas, representing a significant shift toward stricter enforcement of existing immigration laws. Critics of previous administrations have long pointed to visa overstays as a major but often overlooked national security vulnerability.
Bipartisan Condemnation
In a rare show of unity, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan resolution condemning the attack as antisemitic terrorism. The resolution, spearheaded by Congressman Gabe Evans, received support from both sides of the aisle, reflecting the universal condemnation of such violence regardless of political affiliation. The resolution specifically acknowledged the antisemitic nature of targeting a pro-Israel gathering and called for continued vigilance against all forms of domestic terrorism.
The attack underscores the persistent threat of ideologically motivated violence on American soil and raises serious questions about the effectiveness of current immigration enforcement mechanisms. As federal and state authorities continue investigating Soliman’s radicalization process and potential connections to broader extremist networks, Americans are left wondering how many other potential threats remain undetected due to failures in our immigration system.
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