British Commentator Sami Hamdi Detained by U.S. Authorities in California

British political analyst Sami Hamdi has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport after his visa was revoked mid-visit, prompting diplomatic concern and criticism from rights groups.

Hamdi, the managing director of the geopolitical consultancy The International Interest, arrived in the United States on October 19 for a speaking tour organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). However, the U.S. State Department revoked his visa on October 24, citing national security grounds. ICE officials subsequently detained him, claiming he no longer had legal status to remain in the country.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the decision was based on security concerns linked to Hamdi’s public remarks about the Middle East. U.S. officials accused him of making comments that could be interpreted as supportive of militant activity, referencing statements he made following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said individuals who “support terrorism or threaten U.S. security will not be welcome.”

Hamdi has denied endorsing violence, insisting his remarks were taken out of context and merely reflected the Palestinian narrative of resistance. CAIR condemned his detention, calling it an attack on free speech and evidence of rising discrimination against Muslim voices critical of Israel.

The British Foreign Office confirmed it was in touch with U.S. authorities and providing consular support. Legal experts and human rights organizations have warned that the move highlights growing tension between national security enforcement and the protection of free expression.

As of Tuesday, Hamdi remained in ICE custody pending deportation proceedings. The case has stirred international debate over whether his detention represents a justified security precaution or a politically motivated attempt to silence dissenting perspectives on U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.