A British Commentator's Detention and Release: A Clash of Words and Power

Sami Hamdi, a UK-based political commentator, faced a sudden turn of events during a US speaking tour. In late October, he was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport. His family later announced that he would be released and could return home soon. The detention sparked controversy, with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) suggesting it was a response to Hamdi's criticism of Israel. They argued that his detention was a "blatant affront to free speech" and called for his immediate release. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed that Hamdi's visa had been revoked, and he was in ICE custody pending removal. A DHS spokesperson stated that under President Trump's administration, individuals supporting terrorism or undermining national security would not be allowed to enter or work in the US. The state department echoed this sentiment, asserting that the US had no obligation to host foreigners who support terrorism and threaten American safety. They continued to revoke visas of individuals engaged in such activities. The Guardian reported that US officials seemed to reference Hamdi's remarks following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel. The DHS shared a video clip by the pro-Israel group Memri, where Hamdi was recorded suggesting that Palestinians should "celebrate their victory" and asking if they had felt "euphoria" over the events. Hamdi later clarified his remarks, stating that Muslims were not celebrating war or death but the revival of a just cause. He emphasized that he did not celebrate war or death but the revival of a cause that many thought was dead. Hamdi's wife defended him, calling the allegations "outrageous" and claiming the videos were edited to frame him negatively. She argued that the organization producing the videos was known for its anti-Muslim and anti-Arab stance. CAIR confirmed that Hamdi had accepted an offer to leave the US voluntarily. They noted that the immigration charging document only alleged a visa overstay and did not identify any criminal conduct or security grounds. CAIR stated that this agreement indicated the government did not consider Hamdi a danger to the community or national security. However, a DHS spokesperson maintained that Hamdi was an "illegal alien and terrorist sympathizer" who cheered on Hamas following its October 7 terrorist attack. They reiterated that under President Trump's administration, such individuals would not be allowed to work or visit the country.