Cincinnati Imam Ayman Soliman Released from Immigration Detention

Wed Oct 22 2025 00:29:39 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

After weeks of detention, Ayman Soliman, a former imam and current hospital chaplain in Cincinnati, is free. His release follows community support and a successful appeal to halt his removal proceedings.

Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant and imam, has been released from immigration detention after a community-driven advocacy effort. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security terminated his removal proceedings and reinstated his asylum status due to prior persecution related to his journalism during Egypt's Arab Spring. Soliman expressed profound gratitude to his supporters during a heartfelt press conference.

Ayman Soliman, an Egyptian immigrant who worked as an imam for 14 years before relocating to the United States in 2014, has been released from detention after weeks of advocacy and support. Detained during a routine check-in with immigration authorities, Soliman's case garnered significant attention from the Cincinnati community.

Upon his release, Soliman tearfully expressed gratitude, stating, “I can’t find words to describe this moment. This is beyond a dream,” as supporters rallied around him with signs proclaiming messages of welcome. His attorneys confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security has terminated his removal proceedings and reinstated his asylum.

Soliman had originally been granted asylum in 2018 due to past persecution in Egypt as a journalist, where he faced torture for covering political unrest. Having secured a position as a hospital chaplain in Cincinnati, his employment was jeopardized when the FBI flagged his background for unexplained reasons.

During a press conference shortly after his release, Soliman expressed overwhelming joy at being free, pausing briefly for afternoon prayers. He was accompanied by his attorney, Nazly Mamedova, who shared her own emotional relief at witnessing his release.

Community organizations like Young United Souls for Revolutionary Action celebrated his freedom through social media, underscoring the importance of collective action in immigration issues. Notably, Soliman's legal struggles highlight the complexities surrounding immigration and asylum cases in the U.S.

Soliman's ongoing legal challenges stem from an unexplained ‘flag’ on his profile and allegations of association with purportedly terrorist-linked organizations. His lawyers argue that the organizations he was associated with provide humanitarian services and are not designated as terrorist entities by the U.S. government.

As he begins the next chapter of his life outside of detention, Soliman's story continues to resonate as a poignant reminder of the struggles faced by many immigrants seeking safety and acceptance in America.