British political commentator Sami Hamdi has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his arrival at San Francisco International Airport on October 19, 2023. Federal officials confirmed that the detention is linked to Hamdi’s outspoken views regarding the Middle East, particularly his criticism of the Israeli government.
Hamdi, who is a practicing Muslim, was in the United States for a speaking tour. On October 21, he addressed the annual gala for the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The organization asserted in a social media post that Hamdi was taken into custody by ICE agents “in response to his vocal criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour.”
Context of the Detention
The detention of Hamdi reflects the current administration’s intensified efforts to identify and potentially remove foreigners it deems as having supported unrest or protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. This approach has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue that such actions violate constitutional protections for freedom of speech applicable to all individuals within the United States.
Details surrounding the specific comments that led to Hamdi’s visa revocation on October 24, 2025, remain unclear. A senior U.S. official mentioned that the decision was made after taking into account his past statements about the Middle East. Hamdi was traveling on a visitor visa rather than under the Visa Waiver Program, which he may have qualified for as a British citizen.
According to ICE, Hamdi had not yet been deported but remained in custody. The agency stated that he “entered the U.S. on a visitor visa” and confirmed the visa’s revocation. A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, indicated that Hamdi is currently in ICE custody pending removal from the country.
Reactions and Implications
CAIR has called for Hamdi’s immediate release, asserting that he has not been deported and remains under ICE custody. The organization, the largest Muslim advocacy group in the United States, expressed concern over the implications of such a detention on freedom of speech for non-citizens.
In response to inquiries regarding Hamdi’s situation, the Department of Homeland Security provided a link to a State Department statement thanking the agency for its actions regarding his removal. The statement emphasized, “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners” deemed to “support terrorism and actively undermine the safety of Americans.”
Critics have accused Hamdi of endorsing violence following the attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. However, Hamdi has denied these assertions, arguing that he was merely discussing the consequences of oppression faced by Palestinians.
The British Foreign Office has confirmed that it is in contact with Hamdi’s family and is liaising with local authorities on the matter. Hamdi had been scheduled to speak at another CAIR event in Florida before his detention.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of the current administration’s enforcement actions, which have included the expulsion of diplomatic personnel and the revocation of visas for individuals critical of U.S. policies. As part of these efforts, the administration is reviewing the status of over 55 million current U.S. visa holders for potential violations.
