Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Oct 27: British political commentator Sami Hamdi has been detained by US immigration authorities, who also revoked his visa and ordered his deportation, a Homeland Security official confirmed on Sunday.
Hamdi, who was on a speaking tour in the United States, was reportedly detained at San Francisco International Airport. He had recently addressed a Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala in Sacramento, California, and was scheduled to speak at another CAIR event in Florida.
“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), posted on X. She confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently has Hamdi in custody.
The Council on American Islamic Relations condemned Hamdi’s detention, calling it politically motivated and an attack on free speech. “Abducting a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator because he dared to criticize the Israeli government’s genocide is a blatant affront to free speech,” CAIR said in a statement.
CAIR’s Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said the organization’s lawyers had been unable to reach Hamdi by Sunday evening. He reiterated that Hamdi has denied any links to extremist groups, dismissing claims circulated by conservative activists online.
Conservative commentator Laura Loomer took credit for Hamdi’s arrest on social media, saying she had alerted authorities to his activities.
Since returning to power in January, the Trump administration has launched an extensive immigration crackdown — intensifying social media vetting, revoking visas of individuals accused of supporting Palestinian causes, and deporting students and residents who have criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians. While Israel claims it is targeting Hamas militants, a UN inquiry last month alleged that Israel’s actions amounted to genocide — an accusation Israel has firmly denied.