‘We will find you and deport you’: Marco Rubio warns terrorists, their sympathisers after Colorado attack

During a press conference on Monday, FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek said Soliman appears to have acted alone but emphasised that the investigation remains active.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday issued a stern warning regarding the immigration status of individuals linked to terrorism, following Sunday’s brutal antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. In a statement posted on X, Rubio vowed that under the Trump administration, any “terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathisers” present in the U.S. on visas would face revocation and deportation.

In light of yesterdays horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathizers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you.
Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) June 2, 2025

“In light of yesterday’s horrific attack, all terrorists, their family members, and terrorist sympathisers here on a visa should know that under the Trump Administration, we will find you, revoke your visa, and deport you,” Rubio wrote.

The statement came a day after a violent assault at a gathering held in solidarity with hostages in Gaza, during which a man allegedly deployed a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails to set attendees on fire. Twelve people were injured, including an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor. As of Monday afternoon, two victims remained hospitalised.

The suspect, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, reportedly told law enforcement that he “wanted to kill all Zionist people,” according to arrest documents. The 45-year-old Egyptian national had overstayed a B2 visitor visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X. Law enforcement officials confirmed Soliman's nationality to CNN and other outlets.

According to an arrest warrant, Soliman had spent over a year planning the attack and fully intended to die during it. “He said he had to do it, he should do it, and he would not forgive himself if he did not do it,” the warrant stated.

Soliman has been charged with 16 counts of attempted first-degree murder, each carrying a potential 24-year sentence, amounting to a total of 384 years if convicted. Additional charges include attempted use of an incendiary device. His bail has been set at $10 million.

Despite Rubio’s characterisation of the incident as a terrorist act, The Daily Beast reported that federal prosecutors have filed only one hate crime charge against Soliman and have not pursued any terrorism-related charges so far.

During a press conference on Monday, FBI Special Agent Mark Michalek said Soliman appears to have acted alone but emphasised that the investigation remains active. “If we uncover evidence that others knew of this attack or supported the subject in this attack, rest assured that we will aggressively move to hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he stated.

According to The Daily Beast, an affidavit for the federal hate crime charge shows Soliman lived in Colorado Springs with his wife and five children. Their immigration status is currently unclear. Michalek added that Soliman’s family was “cooperative” during a search of their residence on Sunday night.