Judge Orders Release of Family of Boulder Attack Suspect Amid Immigration Review

Walking through the Flatirons foothills on a crisp April morning, the news from a federal courthouse in Texas feels unexpectedly close to home here in Boulder, Colorado. A judge’s order to release the family of Mohamed Soliman—the man accused in last June’s firebombing on the Pearl Street Mall that killed one and injured thirteen—has reignited conversations about due process, immigration enforcement, and how national security fears ripple through our tight-knit community. This isn’t just a legal footnote. it’s a moment where federal policy meets the sidewalk cafes of Pearl Street and the quiet streets of North Boulder, where the Soliman family had lived before their detention.

The ruling from U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in Texas didn’t come out of nowhere. It follows a pattern seen in Colorado’s own federal courts, where Chief Judge Daniel D. Domenico recently broke with his peers on the issue of mandatory immigration detention. In an April 15 order, Domenico sided with the government’s broad interpretation of its detention authority—a stance that contrasts sharply with the majority of judges in this district, and nationwide. As reported by Colorado Politics, Domenico acknowledged his view is an outlier, noting that “the majority of district courts, including all of the judges in this District who have addressed the issue, have found that detention of noncitizens similar to the petitioner under (the mandatory detention provision) is improper.” This split reflects a growing national debate over whether individuals already residing in the U.S. For extended periods should be subject to mandatory detention without bond hearings—a question that hits especially close to home in a city like Boulder, where over 15% of residents are foreign-born, according to recent census estimates.

The federal judge’s order in Texas specifically named Hayam El Gamal, Habiba Soliman, and the four minor children (identified only by initials in court documents: E.S., A.S., H.S., and O.S.) as those to be released immediately from a Texas immigration detention center. The judge barred the government from deporting or removing them from the Western District of Texas and ordered El Gamal and her 18-year-old daughter to comply with electronic monitoring and periodic reporting to immigration authorities. Niels Frenzen, an attorney with the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law Immigration Clinic who represents the family, told CBS News Colorado that the release was “long overdue” but warned that “the Administration’s efforts to deport the family continue, so their ordeal is not over yet.” This echoes concerns raised in Colorado’s own courts, where Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney issued a September ruling rejecting the government’s interpretation that people already present in the U.S. Are “seeking admission”—a legal fiction that would justify mandatory detention without bond.

Here in Boulder, the case has stirred unease beyond the courtroom. The Pearl Street Mall, where the alleged attack occurred, remains a symbol of our community’s openness—a place where street musicians play near the Boulder County Courthouse and locals gather for farmers’ markets every Saturday. The idea that a family connected to such violence could be detained for months without a bond hearing challenges our shared belief in fairness, even as we grapple with legitimate safety concerns. It’s a tension felt in city council chambers and at coffee shops along 28th Street, where residents debate how to uphold both security and constitutional protections. The Department of Homeland Security’s shift in mid-2025 to extend mandatory detention authority to long-term residents—rather than just those seeking admission—has fueled habeas corpus filings in Colorado’s federal trial court, pushing annual civil filings beyond 4,000 for the first time, as noted in the Colorado Politics report.

Given my background in community resilience and local governance, if this trend impacts you in Boulder, here are the three types of local professionals you need to know:

• Immigration Defense Attorneys with Federal Court Experience: Look for lawyers licensed in Colorado who regularly practice before the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Prioritize those with documented success in habeas corpus petitions challenging mandatory detention, particularly for clients already residing in the U.S. Verify their familiarity with recent rulings from Judges Sweeney and Domenico, and ensure they understand electronic monitoring compliance requirements.
• Trauma-Informed Community Mediators: Seek professionals affiliated with organizations like the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Victim Services or the Conflict Center who specialize in facilitating dialogue between affected families and broader community members after incidents involving violence or alleged terrorism. They should have certifications in restorative justice practices and experience navigating cultural sensitivities in immigrant communities.
• Local Policy Analysts Focused on Immigration Enforcement Trends: Find experts affiliated with the University of Colorado Boulder’s School of Law or the Civic Canopy who track how federal immigration policies manifest at the municipal and county levels. They should provide actionable insights on how shifts in ICE detention practices affect local resources, from jail capacity to school enrollment trends, and offer clear briefings for city council or neighborhood associations.

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