A tragic firebombing in Boulder, Colorado, has reignited debate over immigration enforcement, prompting legislation that would criminalize visa overstays in response to a deadly antisemitic attack.
At a Glance
- Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, allegedly attacked a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, injuring 15
- Soliman had overstayed his visa since February 2023 and was living illegally in the U.S.
- The “Visa Overstays Penalties Act” aims to reclassify overstays as criminal “illegal entry”
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced a sweeping crackdown on visa violators
- A federal judge temporarily blocked deportation of Soliman’s wife and children
Boulder Attack Prompts New Enforcement Push
On June 1, 2025, Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly threw Molotov cocktails and used a homemade flamethrower to attack attendees at a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado. The coordinated assault wounded 15 people and drew federal terrorism and hate crime charges. Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa for more than two years, prompting national outrage over immigration enforcement lapses.
Lawmakers responded by introducing the Visa Overstays Penalties Act, which would make visa overstays a federal criminal offense and classify them as “illegal entry,” with penalties ranging from fines to jail time for repeat offenders.
DHS Announces Crackdown
Following the attack, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that federal agencies would ramp up enforcement targeting visa violators. In a fiery statement, Noem declared: “There is NO room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers… We will find you, deport you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”
The directive orders U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to coordinate new efforts to identify and remove individuals unlawfully present after their visas expire. Overstays have historically been treated as civil infractions.
Family Detentions Spark Legal Controversy
In the aftermath of Soliman’s arrest, federal authorities detained his wife and five children. However, a federal judge blocked their deportation, citing constitutional due process concerns. Immigration attorneys argued that the family had not been charged and should not be punished by association.
While DHS maintains that all visa violators are subject to removal, the incident has prompted renewed scrutiny of immigration law enforcement and the rights of non-citizen family members.
Broader Political Implications
The bill revives provisions from the Secure the Border Act of 2023, which previously failed in the Senate. Advocates argue that the Boulder attack exemplifies how visa loopholes can become security threats. Critics counter that sweeping criminalization could overwhelm the legal system and sweep in peaceful immigrants.
With bipartisan outrage following the Boulder incident and rising public pressure, the legislation could gain momentum as immigration once again becomes a top-tier political issue ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Watch a report: Boulder attack suspect overstayed U.S. visa for 2 years before firebombing.
