U.S. immigration detains UK journalist critical of Israeli military actions

According to The Guardian, British journalist Sami Hamdi was detained by federal immigration officials on Sunday morning (local time) at San Francisco International Airport. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) stated that the detention appeared to be an act of retaliation for Hamdi’s criticism of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza during his trip to the United States.

In a statement, CAIR described Hamdi’s arrest as “a blatant insult to free speech,” noting that it occurred after he criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza while speaking at an event in the U.S.

The statement added: “Our lawyers and partners are working to address this injustice. We call on ICE to immediately release Mr. Hamdi and hold those responsible accountable. His only ‘crime’ was criticizing a foreign government committing genocide.”

A former official in Donald Trump’s administration separately announced that Hamdi is facing deportation from the United States.

Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), wrote on social media that Hamdi’s visa had been revoked and that he is currently in ICE custody awaiting deportation.

McLaughlin’s post was shared by Laura Loomer, a Trump ally, who claimed responsibility for pressuring U.S. authorities to act against Hamdi. Loomer wrote that her “direct and relentless pressure” on the State Department and DHS led officials to move against Hamdi’s visa and presence in the country.

Loomer, who identifies herself as a “proud Islamophobe” and white nationalist, is known for promoting conspiracy theories — including claims that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were an inside job.

In 2018, Loomer chained herself to the headquarters of X (formerly Twitter) in New York City after her account was suspended. Her account was reinstated in 2022 after billionaire Elon Musk acquired the platform.

Supporters of Hamdi and human rights advocates have condemned his detention as yet another case of political retaliation against critics of Israel — often occurring even before they have spoken publicly.

CAIR warned that the incident sends “a chilling message to Muslims and Palestinians across the country.”

During his visit to the U.S., Hamdi delivered a speech on Saturday at the annual banquet of CAIR’s Sacramento chapter, and he was scheduled to speak the following day at CAIR’s Florida chapter event.

Hamdi’s arrest makes him the latest in a series of immigrants detained or deported by ICE over pro-Palestinian views. Earlier in October, Mario Guevara, a journalist, was deported to El Salvador after being targeted for his reporting during a live anti-Trump protest in June.

On September 30, a federal judge appointed during Ronald Reagan’s presidency ruled that the government’s policy of detaining and deporting foreign researchers over pro-Palestinian views was unconstitutional and deliberately designed to undermine free speech rights.

The U.S. State Department has stated, however, that under the Trump-era anti-immigration policy framework, visa revocations will continue.