A federal judge appointed by President Joe Biden has temporarily halted the deportation of the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, the Egyptian national accused of carrying out a violent attack on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado.
U.S. District Judge Gordon Gallagher issued the emergency order on Wednesday, preventing the immediate removal of Soliman’s wife and five children from the country. Gallagher’s ruling states that the family must remain in the United States unless the order is overturned by either his court or the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Soliman’s wife, Hayam Elgamal, 41, and their children—ranging from a legal adult daughter to two younger daughters and two sons—were detained earlier this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Department of Homeland Security announced that the family originally entered the U.S. from Egypt in 2022 but overstayed their visas, which expired in February 2023.
According to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, investigators are examining whether Soliman’s family had advance knowledge of the attack or any involvement in its planning.
Soliman, 45, is facing a slew of serious charges after allegedly hurling Molotov cocktails at demonstrators during a march in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The attack, which took place in Boulder, left at least 15 people injured, with several suffering severe burns and other injuries.
Authorities report that Soliman applied for asylum in Denver in late 2022, listing his wife and children as dependents. That application is still under review.
Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty has filed 16 counts of attempted murder against Soliman, along with 18 charges tied to the possession and use of explosive devices. He also faces the possibility of a federal hate crime indictment, which could carry a life sentence if convicted.
Soliman is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, where he will be formally charged.
Critics of the judge’s ruling argue that it undermines immigration enforcement at a time of heightened national security concerns. Supporters, however, contend that the family deserves due process and should not be punished for the alleged actions of one individual before the legal process plays out.
As of now, the Soliman family remains in ICE custody under judicial protection, while legal proceedings continue.
