ICE detains British journalist after criticism of Israel on US tour | US immigration
British journalist Sami Hamdi was reportedly arrested Sunday morning by federal immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) says the action is in apparent retaliation for the Muslim political commentator’s criticism of Israel during his tour of the United States.
A Cair statement said it was “a blatant affront to freedom of expression” to arrest Hamdi for criticizing the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza while he was on a speaking tour in the United States. A Trump administration official added in a separate statement that Hamdi faced deportation.
“Our lawyers and partners are working to remedy this injustice,” Cair’s statement said. The statement also calls on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “to account for and immediately release Mr. Hamdi,” saying his only “‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government” that Cair accuses of “committing genocide.”
Department of Homeland Security Press Secretary Tricia McLaughlin wrote of Hamdi in a social media post: “This individual’s visa has been revoked and he is in ICE custody pending deportation.”
McLaughlin’s message also said: “Those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country.” »
During his tour, Hamdi spoke Saturday at the Cair chapter’s annual gala in Sacramento. He was scheduled to speak Sunday at the Florida chapter of Cair’s gala.
McLaughlin’s post about Hamdi’s detention was shared by Trump administration ally Laura Loomer, who took credit for his detention.
Loomer, who calls herself a “white advocate” and a “proud Islamophobe,” has often peddled conspiracy theories, including supporting claims that the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were an “inside job.”
In 2018, she infamously chained herself to Twitter headquarters in New York to protest the ban on her account. Billionaire businessman Elon Musk reinstated his account after purchasing the social media platform in 2022.
“As a direct result of… my incessant pressure on the [state department] and the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. officials have now decided to take action against Hamdi’s visa status and continued presence in this country,” Loomer posted on social media.
Hamdi is the latest of many immigrants who have been arrested and deported by ICE because of their pro-Palestinian views. Earlier in October, journalist Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador after he was detailed while livestreaming the massive anti-Trump No Kings protest in June.
On September 30, a federal judge appointed under President Ronald Reagan ruled that the administration’s policy of detaining and deporting foreign academics for their pro-Palestinian views violated the U.S. Constitution and was “intentionally” intended to curb the right to free speech.
The decision will almost certainly be appealed, perhaps all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, dominated by a conservative supermajority made possible by three Trump appointments. The State Department, meanwhile, said it would continue to revoke visas under this policy.
