Sanctuary State Policy Under Fire After Egyptian National's Anti-Semitic Attack

Paul Riverbank, 6/4/2025Boulder attack by Egyptian visa-overstayer sparks debate on sanctuary policies and immigration reform.

Terror in Boulder: Unpacking the Complex Aftermath of an Anti-Semitic Attack

The peaceful winter afternoon shattered like glass in Boulder last week. What began as a routine demonstration supporting Israeli hostages ended in chaos, screams, and burning asphalt. I've covered countless protests over my career, but this one hits differently.

Let me paint you the scene: An 88-year-old grandmother, bundled against Colorado's chill, participating in what should have been a simple show of solidarity. Moments later, she's fighting flames from a makeshift explosive. Seven others join her in local emergency rooms. The alleged perpetrator? A man who, by all accounts, spent a year plotting this very moment.

Mohamed Sabry Soliman's case reads like a perfect storm of policy failures. Here's an Egyptian national, overstaying his tourist visa since February 2023, allegedly stockpiling Molotov cocktails while his asylum application gathered dust. When caught, investigators say he showed zero remorse. "He wanted them all to die," Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell told me during our discussion of the case.

I've watched this story morph from a local tragedy into a national talking point about immigration policy. Some, like Republican DA George Brauchler, point fingers at Colorado's sanctuary state status. "You create an environment where someone feels like visa or no visa, I can stay here and do whatever I want," he argued during our recent interview.

But here's what troubles me most: In Soliman's Toyota Prius, authorities found documents bearing USAID markings alongside materials referencing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This detail raises uncomfortable questions about vetting processes and oversight that transcend party lines.

The ripple effects keep spreading. Soliman's family – his wife and five children – now face deportation proceedings. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are treating this case as a landmark opportunity to demonstrate resolve against both terrorism and immigration violations.

Having covered politics for three decades, I've learned that the easiest narratives aren't always the most accurate. Yes, this attack occurred against the backdrop of immigration policy debates. But it also reflects broader challenges: rising antisemitism, the global spillover of Middle Eastern conflicts, and the complex balance between asylum rights and public safety.

Local law enforcement sources tell me they're worried this attack could inspire copycats. "These things are going to start to repeat themselves, not just here, but everywhere," one senior official warned, requesting anonymity due to ongoing investigations.

As federal authorities dig deeper into potential radicalization factors and extremist connections, one thing becomes clear: This isn't just about immigration policy or hate crimes in isolation. It's about how our society handles the intersection of these issues in an increasingly complex world.

The Boulder attack demands more than knee-jerk reactions or partisan point-scoring. It requires serious discussion about policy gaps, security protocols, and yes, immigration procedures. But most importantly, it calls for solutions that protect both our values and our citizens.

Paul Riverbank reports from Washington, where the policy implications of the Boulder attack continue to reverberate through the halls of Congress.

Terror in Boulder: Unpacking the Complex Aftermath of an Anti-Semitic AttackThe peaceful winter afternoon shattered like glass in Boulder last week. What began as a routine demonstration supporting Israeli hostages ended in chaos, screams, and burning asphalt. I've covered countless protests over my career, but this one hits differently.Let me paint you the scene: An 88-year-old grandmother, bundled against Colorado's chill, participating in what should have been a simple show of solidarity. Moments later, she's fighting flames from a makeshift explosive. Seven others join her in local emergency rooms. The alleged perpetrator? A man who, by all accounts, spent a year plotting this very moment.Mohamed Sabry Soliman's case reads like a perfect storm of policy failures. Here's an Egyptian national, overstaying his tourist visa since February 2023, allegedly stockpiling Molotov cocktails while his asylum application gathered dust. When caught, investigators say he showed zero remorse. "He wanted them all to die," Acting U.S. Attorney J. Bishop Grewell told me during our discussion of the case.I've watched this story morph from a local tragedy into a national talking point about immigration policy. Some, like Republican DA George Brauchler, point fingers at Colorado's sanctuary state status. "You create an environment where someone feels like visa or no visa, I can stay here and do whatever I want," he argued during our recent interview.But here's what troubles me most: In Soliman's Toyota Prius, authorities found documents bearing USAID markings alongside materials referencing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This detail raises uncomfortable questions about vetting processes and oversight that transcend party lines.The ripple effects keep spreading. Soliman's family – his wife and five children – now face deportation proceedings. Meanwhile, federal prosecutors are treating this case as a landmark opportunity to demonstrate resolve against both terrorism and immigration violations.Having covered politics for three decades, I've learned that the easiest narratives aren't always the most accurate. Yes, this attack occurred against the backdrop of immigration policy debates. But it also reflects broader challenges: rising antisemitism, the global spillover of Middle Eastern conflicts, and the complex balance between asylum rights and public safety.Local law enforcement sources tell me they're worried this attack could inspire copycats. "These things are going to start to repeat themselves, not just here, but everywhere," one senior official warned, requesting anonymity due to ongoing investigations.As federal authorities dig deeper into potential radicalization factors and extremist connections, one thing becomes clear: This isn't just about immigration policy or hate crimes in isolation. It's about how our society handles the intersection of these issues in an increasingly complex world.The Boulder attack demands more than knee-jerk reactions or partisan point-scoring. It requires serious discussion about policy gaps, security protocols, and yes, immigration procedures. But most importantly, it calls for solutions that protect both our values and our citizens.Paul Riverbank reports from Washington, where the policy implications of the Boulder attack continue to reverberate through the halls of Congress.