House Republicans, led by Rep. Randy Fine and Rep. August Pfluger, have introduced a resolution to condemn the recent antisemitic terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, which targeted a pro-Israel demonstration. The resolution calls for the deportation of individuals who overstay their visas, citing the suspect’s alleged illegal status at the time of the attack.
The attack, which involved the use of Molotov cocktails and a ‘makeshift flamethrower,’ left several injured, including a Holocaust survivor. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was identified as having overstayed his visa and was in the U.S. illegally at the time of the attack. The Trump administration has stated that he and his family will be deported.
Rep. Fine, a Jewish congressman, emphasized the personal stakes for Jewish Americans, stating that his two Jewish sons now live in fear of their safety in their own country. He vowed to take action after this resolution, stating that it will be the last piece of legislation he will introduce as a ‘talking’ member of Congress.
Rep. Pfluger, chair of the Republican Study Committee, highlighted the pattern of antisemitic violence in the U.S., citing the Boulder attack as well as recent shootings targeting Jewish institutions and officials. He blamed the Biden administration for allowing Soliman to overstay his visa, which he argues could have prevented the attack.
The resolution, which condemns antisemitism in all its forms, also expresses grave concern about the rise in antisemitic behavior on college campuses, online, and in public spaces. It urges Congress to secure the border and deport migrants who overstay their visas. While the measure is expected to face opposition from Democrats, it could potentially gain bipartisan support if it reaches the House floor.
Both parties have publicly condemned the attack, but the resolution underscores the GOP’s focus on visa overstays as a potential factor in the violence. The suspect, who faces charges including murder, has not yet been sentenced. This development has further intensified the political discourse on immigration and national security, with significant implications for the ongoing debate over border policy and the treatment of visa overstayers in the U.S.