Who is Sami Hamdi? Muslim journalist detained by ICE at San Francisco Airport

A British Muslim journalist and political commentator, Sami Hamdi, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning, officials said.

His visa was revoked, and he remains in ICE custody, according to Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).


“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” McLaughlin wrote on X. She also praised Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Hamdi’s removal, calling it “It’s common sense.”


Hamdi is a journalist and political commentator, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The International Interest, a magazine that covers Middle Eastern, Far Eastern, and UK politics. He has also contributed articles to Al Jazeera in 2022.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the detention, calling it an “injustice.” “Earlier this morning, ICE agents abducted British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi at San Francisco Airport, apparently in response to his vocal criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour,” CAIR said. “We can confirm that Mr. Hamdi has not been deported and remains in custody. Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice.”

CAIR further condemned the arrest as an attack on free speech, according to Kron4 News. “Everyone should recognise that arresting a British citizen legally visiting the United States because he dared to criticise a foreign nation’s genocide is our government’s latest blatant affront to free speech,” the organisation said. “Our nation must stop abducting critics of the Israeli government at the behest of unhinged Israel-first bigots; this is an Israel-first policy, not an America-first policy, and it must end.”

Why was Hamdi detained?

According to RAIR Foundation USA, Hamdi has repeatedly praised attacks carried out by Hamas, including the October 7, 2023 massacre in which over 1,200 civilians were killed. He described the hostage-taking and killings as “victorious” and “merciful,” and publicly glorified the operation, reposting videos of victims. DHS officials said that such actions qualify as espousing terrorist activity and demonstrated a clear alignment with a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Beyond his public statements, Hamdi has participated in international training programs linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, a network identified by US authorities as cultivating operatives for political and ideological influence abroad. While in the United States, he reportedly instructed audiences to destabilise support for US allies, target officials, and weaponise elections. ICE cited these activities as evidence that Hamdi was using US soil to further extremist agendas, radicalise audiences, and operate as an embedded actor for a foreign network hostile to American interests.