Judge Halts Deportation of Boulder Firebombing Suspect’s Family

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian national accused of a firebombing attack during a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado. The decision comes amid legal debates over due process and the rights of non-citizen family members.

Soliman, 45, allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at a crowd advocating for the release of Israeli hostages, injuring 15 people and a dog. He faces multiple charges, including federal hate crimes and attempted murder. Authorities state that Soliman had been planning the attack for over a year and acted alone without his family’s knowledge.

Following the incident, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Soliman’s wife, Hayam El Gamal, and their five children, initiating expedited removal proceedings. However, U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher issued a temporary restraining order, citing potential irreparable harm and the need to ensure the family’s constitutional rights are protected.

The family’s attorneys argue that they have not been charged with any crimes and that deporting them without due process violates fundamental democratic principles. They emphasize that punishing individuals for the alleged actions of a relative is unlawful and undermines the justice system.

El Gamal, a network engineer with a pending EB-2 visa application, and her children, ranging in age from 4 to 18, entered the U.S. on tourist visas in August 2022 and applied for asylum the following month. Their legal team contends that the family’s pending asylum application and duration of stay in the U.S. render them ineligible for expedited removal.

The Department of Homeland Security is investigating whether Soliman’s family had prior knowledge of or involvement in the attack, though Soliman has stated that his family was unaware of his plans. The case has sparked discussions on immigration enforcement and the rights of non-citizen family members in the U.S.

A court hearing to further address the family’s legal status and potential deportation is scheduled for June 13.