Republican Strategist Questions Legal Status of Boulder Family
Scott Jennings, a Republican strategist, left CNN host Abby Phillip searching for answers on Wednesday regarding the legal status of a family connected to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado.
Mohamed Sabri Soliman allegedly assaulted participants at an event on October 7, 2023, intended to show support for hostages and that followed an attack by Hamas, a terrorist organization responsible for the deaths of over 1,200 people in Israel. Jennings pointed out that Soliman and his family seem to have a valid visa.
“Is this family legally dependent?” Jennings asked Phillip, who admitted she wasn’t entirely sure. Jennings remarked, “I think they might not be,” to which Phillip responded, “Yeah, I’m not sure, no.”
A federal judge in Colorado, appointed by Biden, granted an injunction on Wednesday that blocked the Trump administration from deporting Soliman’s family.
“Clearly, we face extreme radicalism at home, which is resulting in acts of domestic terrorism and violence against American citizens,” Jennings commented to Phillip. “We’re finding ourselves in a position where individual district court judges are hindering efforts to protect Americans from this radicalism.”
He elaborated on the necessity of the travel ban, citing that countries of concern often fail to vet travelers or share crucial information. Jennings emphasized the complications that arise when trying to monitor who is entering the U.S., underlining the challenges posed by those from nations with ineffective governments.
When he took office, President Donald Trump issued several directives addressing illegal immigration. These included designating Mexican drug cartels and various criminal organizations as foreign terrorist groups. The Trump administration also revoked student visas and green cards for individuals associated with pro-Hamas demonstrations.
“There’s been a significant rise in visa abuse in this country,” Jennings stated. “If you’re here on a visa, you’re essentially a guest, and I’ve seen some guests turn against American citizens.”
