Oct. 27 (UPI) — U.S. immigration authorities have detained British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi, who was in the country on a speaking tour.
Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed Hamdi’s detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on X, saying his visa was revoked and that he would remain in ICE custody pending removal.
“Under President [Donald] Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” she said in a statement.
“It’s common sense.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Hamdi was detained Sunday morning at San Francisco International Airport, stating his arrest was due to his criticism of Israel and its war in Gaza that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians.
Hamdi was speaking at a series of CAIR-scheduled speaking events. On Saturday he spoke at CAIR Sacramento’s annual gala and was to speak Sunday at a CAIR Florida gala.
CAIR referred to his arrest as an abduction because of his criticism of Israel.
“Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice. We call on ICE to immediately account for and release Mr. Hamdi, whose only ‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government that has committed genocide,” the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization said in a statement.
Far-right conspiracy theorist and self-proclaimed “proud Islamophobe” Laura Loomer has claimed credit for Hamdi’s detention.
“I demanded that federal authorities inside the Trump administration treat Hamdi as the major National security threat that he is and I reported Sami Hamdi to federal immigration authorities over his documented support for Islamic terrorism,” she said on X, without providing evidence.
His detention comes amid the Trump administration’s crackdowns on both immigration and left-leaning ideology. Pro-Palestinian protests and comments made online have been targeted by immigration and State Department authorities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said hundreds of visas have been revoked in connection to their holders’ involvement with pro-Palestinian protests. Pro-Palestinian protesters have also been detained with the intention of deporting them .
Critics have accused the Trump administration of seeking to silence criticism and dissent.
“We’ve said it before, we’ll say it again: The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who support terrorism and actively undermine the safety of Americans,” the State Department said in a statement.
“We continue to revoke the visas of persons engaged in such activity,” it added.
It did not provide information about the allegations against Hamdi.
The Muslim Council of Britain is calling on the British government to “take urgent diplomatic action” in response to Hamdi’s detention.
“We value the critical work of our friends at CAIR and stand ready to work with them to ensure Mr. Hamdi’s rights are protected. The bedrock of a democracy is freedom of expression and thought,” it said in a statement.
“Press freedom cannot be selective and we urge the British Government to come to the defense of its citizens being detained in this manner.”