San Francisco, US – October 26, 2025 – British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi has been detained by US federal authorities at San Francisco airport, sparking international concern and condemnation from civil rights groups. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described the detention as an “abduction” and a direct assault on free speech, linking it to Hamdi’s outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Hamdi, who had addressed a CAIR gala in Sacramento the previous evening and was scheduled to speak at a Florida event, was stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a division of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). CAIR claimed his arrest was the result of a coordinated far-right, pro-Israel campaign, asserting that critics of Israel were being targeted under the guise of immigration enforcement.

Civil Rights Advocates Alarmed

Friends and colleagues of Hamdi called his detention “a deeply troubling precedent for freedom of expression” and urged the UK Foreign Office to seek immediate clarification from US authorities.

“The detention of a British citizen for expressing political opinions sets a dangerous precedent that no democracy should tolerate,” the statement said.

Hamdi’s father, Mohamed El-Hachmi Hamdi, emphasized that his son “has no affiliation with any political or religious group” and that his stance is aligned with advocating peace, security, and human rights for Palestinians, rather than any factional agenda.

DHS Claims National Security Concerns

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed Hamdi’s detention, claiming he posed a national security threat. She stated that Hamdi’s visa was revoked and that he was in ICE custody pending removal, although no public evidence has been provided.

Supporters maintain that Hamdi has been targeted solely for his criticism of US and Israeli policy in Gaza. This incident aligns with a broader pattern of US authorities restricting entry to Palestinian and pro-Palestine activists, including two Palestinian men deported to Qatar earlier this year, one of whom was later reportedly killed in the occupied West Bank.

Far-Right Celebration and Pro-Israel Influence

Far-right activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer, who has openly described herself as an “Islamophobe,” celebrated Hamdi’s detention online, falsely linking him to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Other far-right networks, such as the RAIR Foundation, also pushed for Hamdi’s expulsion, framing his activism as hostile to US interests.

Tech investor Shaun Maguire, a vocal defender of Israel, further accused Hamdi of attempting to influence him through AI-generated emails, claims that remain unsubstantiated.

CAIR Vows Legal Challenge

CAIR has pledged to fight the deportation order, warning that the detention of Hamdi sends a chilling message to Muslim, Palestinian, and pro-Palestine voices attempting to speak in the United States. The organization called for an end to what it described as political retaliation disguised as immigration enforcement.

“This is an Israel First policy, not an America First policy, and it must end,” CAIR said in a statement, emphasizing the need to protect freedom of expression and civil liberties.

Hamdi remains in ICE custody, and his supporters are monitoring developments closely as legal challenges proceed.