British Muslim Journalist Sami Hamdi Detained by US Immigration During Speaking Tour

British political commentator Sami Hamdi has been taken into custody by US immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport while on a speaking tour across America.

According to a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, Immigration and Customs Enforcement is holding Hamdi and has revoked his visa with plans for deportation. McLaughlin stated on X, "Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country."

The detention occurred after Hamdi spoke at a Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala in Sacramento. He had been scheduled to appear at another CAIR event in Florida the following day.

Conservative figures had been calling for the Trump administration to remove Hamdi from the United States prior to his detention.

Hamdi, who has worked as an analyst and commentator for British television networks, was unable to be reached for comment. CAIR's deputy director, Edward Ahmed Mitchell, noted that Hamdi had previously denied supporting Islamic militants and that CAIR's legal team had not been able to establish contact with him.

CAIR released a statement condemning the detention: "Abducting a prominent British Muslim journalist and political commentator on a speaking tour in the United States because he dared to criticize the Israeli government's genocide is a blatant affront to free speech."

Conservative activist Laura Loomer claimed credit for Hamdi's arrest on social media.

Since January, the Trump administration has implemented extensive immigration restrictions, including enhanced social media screening, visa revocations for individuals allegedly praising violence against conservatives, and deportations of student visa and green card holders who have expressed support for Palestinians or criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza.

Israel's military campaign in Gaza, launched after Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian casualties and widespread destruction. While Israel maintains its operations target Hamas and that it attempts to minimize civilian casualties, a UN commission recently assessed that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza—an allegation Israel denies.