The former FBI agent has labeled the high number of individuals in the U.S. on visas as a significant “national security issue,” particularly following a recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, that resulted in 15 injuries.
Muhammad Sabri Soliman, allegedly responsible for attacking pro-Israeli protesters on June 1, had entered the U.S. on August 27, 2022. His visa was set to expire on February 26, 2023, but he was allowed to work during his stay. Soliman is originally from Egypt.
It’s noted that his research permit was valid until March 2025, which is just a few months before he reportedly carried out the attack.
A report from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that around 400,000 people were believed to have overstayed their visas in 2023. This data highlights a concerning trend of individuals who entered the U.S. legally but failed to leave as required.
Former FBI special agent Jonathan Gilliam emphasized that the issue of overstaying visas poses a threat to national security. Looking at the situation in Boulder, he expressed that there are many other problems linked to individuals who have overstayed their visas, a fact that he believes is underappreciated in the broader public discourse.
According to DHS data, between 2020 and 2023, more than 1.5 million people are recorded as having overstayed their visas.
Gilliam warned that delays in reforming the visa system could increase the risk of future attacks. He mentioned, “There’s almost no system to monitor those on visas, and if someone holds radical views, there’s nothing stopping them.”
One recommendation he made was to improve monitoring of visa holders in the U.S. He said, “We need effective tracking systems for these individuals.” He believes that having robust policies could better help identify who is present in the country and whether they have overstayed their permits.
Soliman was in the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa but had been granted permission to work with Vero Health and Uber. A spokesperson for Vero Health stated that he had been employed at the company for about three months, although the reasons for his departure were not clarified. Soliman had successfully gone through the hiring process with the employer, ADP, confirming he held a valid work visa at that time.
Additionally, Uber confirmed that Soliman started driving for them in spring 2023, having passed checks on his criminal and driving history.
He is facing serious charges, including first-degree murder, assault, and usage of explosives during a felony.
