In brief
Ayman Soliman, who was detained during a routine immigration check, expressed profound gratitude upon his release. His asylum status has been reinstated after the Department of Homeland Security terminated his removal proceedings. Supporters, including local religious leaders, rallied for his freedom, emphasizing the sense of community and solidarity among immigrants. Soliman had previously faced persecution in Egypt for his journalism work during the Arab Spring.
Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and hospital chaplain in Cincinnati, has been released from immigration detention after several weeks of advocacy from his supporters.
Soliman was taken into custody during a routine check-in with immigration officials in July. Initially serving as an imam in Egypt for 14 years, he fled to the U.S. in 2014 due to political persecution stemming from his journalism during the Arab Spring, as stated by the Initiative on Islam and Medicine.
Upon his release, Soliman expressed gratitude to the community that rallied behind him, stating, 'I can’t find words to describe this moment. This is beyond a dream.' His press conference was momentarily paused to allow attendees to participate in afternoon prayers. Supporters held up signs that read 'Finally Home' and 'Immigrants Welcome Here.'
According to Nazly Mamedova, one of Soliman’s attorneys, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) notified them that it has terminated his removal proceedings and reinstated his asylum, closing all cases against him.
During a post-release interview, Mamedova described her emotional reaction, saying, 'I was so happy. I was crying and screaming.' She recounted visiting him regularly during his detention, and noted how much happier he was to finally breathe fresh air and see the sun again.
Representative Greg Landsman expressed relief over Soliman's release, affirming the positive impact of community action in such cases.
Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action, a grassroots Muslim organization in Ohio, celebrated Soliman's release and shared a video of him on social media, marking the occasion with the message: 'IMAM AYMAN IS FREE! Alhamdulilah!'
Despite his recent struggles, Soliman’s story highlights the ongoing challenges faced by many immigrants and the importance of collective action and support. His legal team emphasized his previous asylum grant in 2018, which acknowledged the persecution he faced for his work as a journalist in Egypt.
However, the path ahead may still be complicated. In 2024, DHS initiated proceedings to reconsider Soliman's asylum status based on his association with Al-Jameya al Shareya, an organization deemed by some as linked to terrorism due to its connections to the Muslim Brotherhood, a designation the U.S. government has not officially recognized. His attorneys insist that the group is merely a charity providing humanitarian services.
