DENVER — A Texas-based immigration judge has ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release the detained family of the man accused of the Boulder terror attack last year.
U.S. District Judge Fred Biery on Wednesday approved the release of Hayam El Gamal—the wife of suspected attacker Mohammed Soliman—and their five children, provided they appear at future immigration hearings. A follow-up hearing is set for Thursday in San Antonio to decide if both parties accept the order.
The family has spent over 10 months detained at a Texas immigration center following an ICE raid on their Colorado Springs home the day after the June 1, 2025, fatal firebombing in Boulder. Detained for "expedited removal," per the White House, Judge Biery found no evidence they knew about the Boulder plot and noted their detention appears indefinite.
In a statement to Denver7, the family’s attorney, Eric Lee, argued that ICE’s continued detention violates the Constitution. “A federal court has determined ICE’s prolonged detention of this family violates the Constitution. Nevertheless, ICE has not yet released the family,” he said, urging the agency to act immediately.
Meanwhile, Denver7 has reached out to ICE officials and is awaiting a reply.
► Judge orders ICE to release family of suspected Boulder terror attacker
Federal authorities say Soliman, 46, an Egyptian national, has lived illegally in the U.S. with his family. He faces murder, attempted murder, and 12 federal hate crime charges in the Boulder attack that killed one and injured several on Pearl Street Mall.
Investigators allege Soliman, disguised as a gardener, threw Molotov cocktails at a group peacefully demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages. Authorities say he confessed to the attack in custody.
As court proceedings continue, Soliman remains in custody at the Boulder County Jail.
◼️ Previous coverage:
- Prayers, patterns, and promises along Pearl Street Mall one day after Boulder attack
- Boulder County Commissioner addresses safety concerns after Pearl Street Mall attack
- A Holocaust survivor is among the victims of Sunday's antisemitic attack in Boulder
- What we know about Mohamed Soliman, Boulder firebombing suspect now charged with a federal hate crime
- ‘A normalization of hate’: Anti-Defamation League reacts to targeted Boulder firebombing
- Boulder attack that injured 8 pro-Israel demonstrators being investigated as act of terrorism
- ‘Most horrific thing’ I’ve ever seen: Witness describes attack on pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder
- Colorado Jewish community reacts to Boulder attacks: 'We are not going to allow terror to define us'
- Suspect accused of burning, injuring 12 in Boulder had planned attack for 1 year, affidavit reads
- ICE detains family of man charged in Boulder Pearl Street Mall attack for 'expedited removal'
- A US judge halts the deportation of the Egyptian family of the Boulder firebombing suspect
