U.S. authorities have detained British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi, known for his outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Hamdi was reportedly arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco Airport on Sunday morning while on a speaking tour across the country.
According to a statement released by the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), the journalist was stopped and detained shortly after arriving for a scheduled public appearance.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that Hamdi’s visa has been revoked and that plans for his deportation are underway.
“Those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” McLaughlin wrote.
CAIR strongly condemned the arrest, describing it as “an attack on press freedom and dissent.”
“Abducting a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator on a speaking tour in the United States because he dared to criticise the Israeli government’s genocide is a blatant affront to free speech,” CAIR said.
The organization pledged to provide full legal assistance to Hamdi as he faces deportation proceedings.
Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) urged the UK government to intervene and offer diplomatic protection to the journalist.
“Press freedom cannot be selective,” the MCB said in a statement on X, calling the detention “deeply troubling.”
Hamdi, editor of The International Interest, has been an influential voice in Middle East commentary. He has frequently appeared on international news platforms to criticize Western governments’ support for Israel’s actions in Gaza, which he described as “collective punishment against civilians.”
The U.S. government’s decision has sparked growing debate over freedom of expression, foreign policy dissent, and media suppression.
Human rights advocates say the move raises serious concerns about the targeting of Muslim journalists and critics of Israeli policies under the guise of national security.
As of Monday evening, neither Hamdi’s family nor his legal representatives had access to him, according to CAIR officials.
The development comes amid mounting international criticism of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have left thousands dead and displaced millions since October 2023.