The family of British Muslim journalist and commentator Sami Hamdi have issued an urgent plea for his release after he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Sunday at San Francisco Airport, while en route to Florida for a speaking engagement.
In an emotional statement issued today, Hamdi’s family described his arrest as politically motivated and an attack on free speech. “Our beloved Sami was abducted over the weekend by the U.S. government because of his courageous and effective advocacy for Palestinian human rights,” the family wrote. “He is now being held captive thousands of miles away from our children, who miss their father dearly.”
Describing Hamdi as a devoted husband, father, and fearless advocate for justice, his family said his detention appears to be part of a broader effort to silence voices critical of Israeli policy. “Sami’s arrest by ICE is the latest in a series of attempts by U.S. authorities to suppress free speech and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” the statement continued.
The family expressed concern over the UK government’s lack of support, calling on British officials to fulfil their duty to protect one of their own. “I urge the government of the United Kingdom to provide full consular support for Sami. It has yet to do so. I also ask them to defend my husband and provide the protection and support that every British citizen deserves.”
Legal action and advocacy
Attorneys representing Hamdi from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA), immigration lawyer Hassan Ahmad, and the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA) are challenging his detention in court. Legal filings include a writ of habeas corpus (a petition to challenge unlawful detention) and an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) to block his removal and prevent his transfer to another facility away from his legal team.
“If the government can cancel a valid visa because it does not like what a person says or believes, then anyone legally visiting, studying, or working in our country—whether conservative or liberal, religious or secular—would be in danger of abduction and deportation if the government happens to dislike their speech,” CAIR-CA said in a statement. “This is not what the Constitution permits or envisions, and this practice must end with Sami Hamdi.”
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His legal team’s filings ask the court to preserve his access to legal counsel and block deportation until proceedings are complete. They have also filed a federal complaint and petition for writ of habeas corpus, a complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief, and an emergency application for a TRO and order to show cause re: preliminary injunction on the evening of October 27.
Timeline of arrest and legal challenge
Hamdi arrived in the U.S. on October 19 using a valid visa. While in California, he spoke at a CAIR gala event in Sacramento. He had been scheduled to travel to Florida for another speaking engagement on October 26. That day, while at San Francisco International Airport, Hamdi was detained by ICE officers in the domestic terminal.
According to ICE, his visa had been revoked two days earlier, on October 24. That same day, removal proceedings were initiated. He was transferred to Golden State Annex in McFarland, California, where he remains in custody.
On October 27, CAIR’s legal team met with Hamdi in person and filed legal actions seeking a temporary restraining order and a writ of habeas corpus. His legal team continues to press for his release while challenging the basis of his arrest in federal court.
Hamdi’s arrest followed an online smear campaign on X led by American Zionist Islamophobes Amy Mekelburg and Laura Loomer. Both claimed credit for his detention after they peddled false accusations that Hamdi was a “jihadist” with links to terrorism.
These claims were refuted by Hamdi’s father, Dr Mohamed Elhachmi Hamdi, who wrote on X: “I affirm unequivocally that he has no affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood or any political or religious group. His stance on Palestine is not aligned with any faction there, but rather with the people’s right to security, peace, freedom, and dignity. He is, quite simply, one of the young dreamers of this generation—yearning for a world with more compassion, justice, and solidarity.”
Who is Sami Hamdi?
Hamdi is a prominent and respected British Muslim journalist of Tunisian and Algerian heritage, widely known for his passionate and incisive analysis of Middle Eastern and North African affairs, U.S. foreign policy, and social justice causes affecting the Muslim-majority world.
He has appeared on mainstream media platforms such as BBC News, BBC Arabic, and Sky News, as well as being a regular guest on popular English-language Muslim podcasts.
In addition to his commentary and motivational speaking, Hamdi is also a member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), which has called for his immediate release.
Since Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza began in October 2023, Hamdi’s podcast reels—where he challenges U.S. foreign policy for its military and economic support of Israel while its own citizens suffer at home—went viral.
“He argues that taxpayers’ money should prioritise healthcare, housing, and welfare rather than being depleted by providing political support for Israel,” his wife said in the family’s statement.
British MPs condemn arrest and demand action
In the UK, five independent MPs issued a joint statement condemning Hamdi’s detention and calling on the British government to take immediate action. Signatories included MPs Adnan Hussain, Ayoub Khan, Iqbal Mohammed, Shockat Adam, and former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn.
The joint statement read: “We express our deep alarm at the detention of British citizen, journalist, and political commentator Sami Hamdi by U.S. immigration authorities while on a book and speaking tour in the United States. Mr Hamdi travelled to the U.S. for public engagements, during which time his visa was revoked, and he was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at San Francisco International Airport.”
The MPs demanded urgent consular access, an explanation from U.S. authorities, and Hamdi’s immediate return home. “We strongly condemn any use of immigration or national security mechanisms to punish individuals merely for exercising their right to free speech,” they wrote.
Free speech on trial
Hamdi’s detention has reignited a broader debate around freedom of speech and the treatment of Muslim voices critical of Israel. Civil rights groups argue that his case reflects growing intolerance toward dissent, particularly when it comes from Muslim public figures.
Prominent American Muslim theologian and academic Dr Yasir Qadhi stated on X: “Our government is doing this on behalf of and as Israel’s proxy because he is a vocal critic of that genocidal regime… Our country is heading towards a fascist dictatorship in which any speech that goes against the official narrative is going to be criminalised.”
Dr Butch Ware, Green Party candidate for Governor of California, said on X: “Anti-Muslim bigotry is openly embraced through a fraudulent crusade on ‘anti-Semitism.’ If you notice a stench, it is the rot of this decaying empire.”
Hamdi remains in ICE custody at Golden State Annex in McFarland, California. His legal team, composed of CAIR’s Hassan Ahmad and the MLFA, continue to fight for his release. Their filings aim to block any transfer that would isolate him from his attorneys and to halt his deportation until his case is fully heard.
CAIR emphasised the stakes in a recent statement: “Every single person on American soil, including immigrants and visitors, has the right to free speech and other fundamental freedoms.”
His family remains focused on one goal: “Our aims are straightforward. We want Sami brought home to his family in the UK immediately and for his good name to be cleared.”
5Pillars have been told that Hamdi is in good spirits, he has a copy of the Quran, and is grateful for the overwhelming support and prayers.
