British Commentator Detained in U.S. Over Political Criticism

Thu Oct 30 2025 16:54:46 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, faces detention in the U.S. following his criticism of Israeli policies, sparking debates on free speech and immigration laws.

Sami Hamdi, a British Muslim political commentator detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), is challenging his detention in court. Hamdi, who was arrested at San Francisco International Airport, claims his detention is linked to his outspoken criticism of the Israeli government. His legal team argues this infringes upon free speech rights, while U.S. officials accuse him of celebrating violence in the wake of the Hamas attacks on October 7. The case raises significant questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and the right to political dissent.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, is currently detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California. His lawyers have filed a petition challenging this detention. They claim that Hamdi's arrest on Sunday at San Francisco International Airport stems from his criticisms of Israeli policies, particularly following the Hamas attacks on October 7, which the U.S. government interprets as celebrating violence.

Hamdi's situation reflects a broader initiative by the U.S. administration to identify foreigners allegedly inciting unrest connected to ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza. Civil rights advocates argue that such actions violate constitutional protections, suggesting that anyone in the U.S. should be protected under freedom of speech, irrespective of their immigration status.

In response to his detention, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which is representing Hamdi, has filed a writ of habeas corpus, demanding the government provide justifications for his detention. They are also seeking a temporary order to prevent his removal from the U.S. while the legal matter is resolved.

Hamdi, who has been outspoken about his views, attended events in the U.S., including a gala in Sacramento where he criticized Israeli policies before his detention. This incident has prompted significant discussions about the boundaries of political speech, especially for those on temporary visas in the U.S.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has labeled Hamdi's legal actions as desperate, asserting that his comments after the October 7 attacks demonstrate support for terrorism. Critics of the government’s approach highlight that this case could set a worrying precedent for free speech rights.