It shouldn’t take a violent crime to remind Washington that border security is national security — but here we are again.
According to law enforcement, the suspect in the recent Boulder attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is an Egyptian national who originally entered the United States in 2022 on a nonimmigrant visa.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2025
Authorities say he overstayed that visa, remained in the country illegally, and later carried out a violent assault.
For many Americans, this case highlights serious concerns about how the United States has managed immigration and border security over the past few years.
What Happened to Immigration Enforcement?
Soliman came here legally but stayed illegally. The system did nothing to stop it.
That’s because current federal policy, under President Biden, has pulled back on many of the enforcement tools that were previously used to manage border security.
Construction of the border wall was stopped. The “Remain in Mexico” policy, which required asylum seekers to wait outside the U.S., was reversed.
And enforcement of visa overstays — like in Soliman’s case — has taken a lower priority.
Critics argue that these policy changes have created major loopholes in our immigration system.
This isn’t just about one person slipping through the cracks. It’s about whether the system is doing enough to protect public safety.
The Role of the Media
When news of the Boulder attack broke, CNN’s Jake Tapper took to the airwaves and used the incident to talk about antisemitism — not border security.
NEW: Book salesman Jake Tapper starts rambling about violent right-wing antisemitism in response to the Boulder, CO terror attack.
The Boulder attack was carried out by an illegal Egyptian national named Mohamed Soliman who entered the country under Biden.
“Antisemitism… pic.twitter.com/tMBCiRtrxk
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) June 2, 2025
Tapper’s argument? That antisemitism is a problem on both the left and the right.
While no one denies that antisemitism exists across the political spectrum, many felt Tapper’s response was a deflection — a way to shift the conversation away from immigration policy and onto more abstract cultural issues.
Critics saw it as classic “whataboutism,” where the real issue — how Soliman remained in the U.S. illegally — was pushed aside.
Antisemitism Is a Real Problem — But So Is Security
Antisemitism is on the rise in America.
A 2024 report from the American Jewish Committee found that 63% of Jews say they’ve changed their behavior to avoid antisemitism.
Nearly a third of Jewish college students feel that faculty members are hostile toward their beliefs.
That deserves and demands attention.
But critics say it’s wrong to use that concern to distract from the specific issue at hand — that someone who should not have been in the country was able to carry out a violent attack.
Policy matters. Enforcement matters. When those break down, people can get hurt.
What Needs to Change?
Is the current immigration system doing enough to protect Americans?
The federal government has one primary job when it comes to immigration — to make sure it’s safe, legal, and controlled. That means:
- Enforcing visa rules and removing those who overstay
- Closing gaps in the system that allow dangerous individuals to remain
- Reinstating strong policies like Title 42 or “Remain in Mexico” to reduce illegal crossings
- Ensuring local law enforcement can work with federal immigration agencies
None of that is radical. It’s basic public safety.
Conclusion
While discussions about hate and antisemitism are important, they should not be used to avoid accountability for policy failures.
Americans deserve both safety and honesty.
When a dangerous individual is allowed to stay in the country because the rules weren’t enforced, that’s a failure we can’t afford to ignore.
Immigration reform doesn’t mean turning our backs on those seeking a better life. But it does mean protecting the lives of those already here.
It’s time for policies that reflect that priority.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
