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In a move that has left immigration experts and criminal defense lawyers puzzled, federal authorities have swiftly detained the family of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who is accused of attacking demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado. The arrest of Soliman's wife and five children occurred just two days after the incident, which saw at least a dozen people injured by molotov cocktails.

The White House, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem, announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had taken the family into custody. They are reportedly fast-tracking their deportation under expedited removal procedures. According to social media posts, the deportation could take place as early as the same day as the family's detention. This move is described by veteran lawyer Derege Demissie as "not normal," noting his inability to recall similar cases in nearly 30 years of legal practice.

The State Department has also revoked the family's visitor visas. The detentions have sparked debate among legal professionals regarding the legitimacy of using expedited removal, a process established in 1996 that does not provide for an immigration hearing or legal representation for those being deported. Stanford law professor Lucas Guttentag points out that holders of valid visas are typically exempt from expedited removal.

Soliman, who has been charged with a federal hate crime and attempted murder under Colorado state law, reportedly planned the attack for a year. He allegedly aimed to target the Jewish group that organized the march, motivated by a desire to "kill all Zionist people." Soliman also claimed he waited until his daughter's high school graduation to execute his plan.

Authorities have suggested that Soliman's family could face deportation despite their cooperation in the investigation. Soliman's wife even turned over a phone believed to belong to him. However, an arrest affidavit indicates Soliman maintained he had not discussed his plans with his family.

Questions about Soliman's immigration status have added to the complexity of the situation. Entering the U.S. on a B-2 tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023, Soliman had applied for asylum in September 2022. Normally, asylum seekers are protected from deportation while their cases are under review.

The Trump administration's accelerated actions have drawn comparisons with previous cases, such as the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, where friends of one of the suspects were detained for visa violations before being charged with federal crimes. ICE has a history of arresting family members for civil immigration violations, but experts like Alex Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute argue that the government lacks sufficient time to investigate the family's involvement in the attack.

The unfolding situation underscores the ongoing intensification of immigration enforcement under Trump's administration, which has resulted in widespread alarm within immigrant communities across the United States.