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A former FBI agent has highlighted the issue of visa overstays in the U.S. as a “national security concern” in the wake of the Colorado terror attack in Boulder, which resulted in injuries to 15 people.
Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who is accused of attacking a peaceful pro-Israel demonstration with firebombs on June 1, injuring 15 individuals, entered the U.S. on a B1/B2 non-immigrant visa on August 27, 2022, according to Fox News sources. His visa was due to expire on February 26, 2023, but he was granted work authorization. Soliman is a citizen of Egypt.
Soliman’s work authorization ended in March 2025, around three months before he allegedly attacked the group of pro-Israel protesters.
A report from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that roughly 400,000 individuals were suspected of overstaying their visas in the fiscal year 2023, which is the most recent year with available government data on the topic. These individuals legally entered the United States with a visa but remained beyond their authorized stay.
Mugshot of Soliman, 46, was charged with first-degree murder, crimes against at-risk adults/elderly, assault, criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies and use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony. (Boulder PD)
One thing Gilliam said should be looked at is monitoring people who are in the U.S. on visas, as he says there are enough systems in place to track those individuals in real time.
“We have to come up with better ways to track them, people who will vouch for them. And if we have that in place, along with policies that back the laws, it’ll be much easier to determine who is here, where they are, and if they’ve overstayed,” he said.
While Soliman was in the United States on a B1/B2 visa, he obtained work authorization that allowed him to have jobs at Vero Health and Uber.
A spokesperson for Vero Health told Fox News Digital that Soliman worked at the company for around three months, but didn’t explain why he left.
“He was hired in our accounting department. He went through a hiring process with ADP, our employer [Professional Employer Organization]. At the time of hire, he was confirmed to have a valid work visa, which was noted to expire in March 2025,” the spokesperson said.
Law enforcement officials dress up in protective gear to investigate an attack on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado. (AP)
Uber also confirmed to Fox News Digital that Soliman began driving for the company in the spring of 2023, and passed a criminal and driving history background check.
Soliman was charged with first-degree murder, crimes against at-risk adults/elderly, first-degree assault, criminal attempt to commit class one and class two felonies, and use of explosives or incendiary devices during a felony.
