A federal judge cleared the way for the Trump administration to move forward with the deportation process for the family of a suspected terrorist accused of killing an elderly woman.
U.S. District Court Judge Orlando Garcia nixed a prior ruling that blocked the deportation of Mohamed Soliman’s family, according to court documents. Soliman, an Egyptian national, allegedly attacked a pro-Israel demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, on June 1 with Molotov cocktails and a makeshift flamethrower while screaming “End Zionists” and “Free Palestine.”
Shortly after the attack, federal law enforcement discovered that not only was Soliman living in the U.S. unlawfully, but so were his wife and five children, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Trump administration began deportation proceedings against his family members, but a Biden-appointed judge quickly blocked those efforts.
Garcia determined Wednesday that he lacked the authority to intervene in the case and that the family’s deportation was not being improperly fast tracked, according to court documents. He stated that the case would need to be reviewed by an immigration judge.
“The Court hastens to remind Petitioners that they still have an avenue for seeking their release from detention while their removal proceedings continue,” Garcia stated. “As alluded to above, the regulations promulgated pursuant to the [Immigration and Nationality Act] prescribe administrative procedures for obtaining relief from discretionary detention.”
The judge’s ruling stemmed from confusion surrounding the timing of the Soliman’s family’s removal from the country, according to court documents. Social media posts following the Boulder attack initially claimed the family was in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and could be deported as early as “tonight,” but federal officials have since clarified that the family would have the opportunity to petition for their release.
Soliman allegedly targeted peaceful demonstrators who were advocating on behalf of the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. The attack left several hospitalized, and one 82-year-old woman, Karen Diamond, eventually died from her injuries.
The Egyptian national now faces more than 70 charges, including first-degree murder, first-degree assault and committing a hate crime, according to DHS. The Trump administration praised the judge’s ruling in a public statement.
“This is a proper end to an absurd legal effort on the plaintiff’s part,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, referring to Soliman’s wife, who sued to block her deportation. “Just like her terrorist husband, she and her children are here illegally and are rightfully in ICE custody for removal as a result.”
“This terrorist will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” McLaughlin continued. “We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if they provided support to it.”
The 45-year-old Soliman entered the U.S. in August 2022 under the Biden administration and remained in the country after his visa expired, DHS previously confirmed to the DCNF. He had filed for asylum in September 2022.
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