The father of detained British Muslim journalist Sami Hamdi has written an open letter to U.S. Vice President JD Vance, calling for his son to be treated fairly and released immediately.
Sami Hamdi’s father, Mohamed E Hamdi, posted the following letter on X on Thursday:
Dear Vice President Vance,
I am writing to bring to your attention the case of My son, Journalist and Political Analyst Sami Hamdi, whose situation deeply concerns me.
In Munich (Feb 20, 2025) you warned Europe against curtailing free speech and even threatened financial sanctions, warning your audience that Americans would not tolerate arrest for what those in power may see as an “offensive tweet.” Yet the Department of Homeland Security is doing just that to journalist and political analyst Sami Hamdi for views critical of Israel.
People in the U.S. and around the world are asking how such a blatant violation of the Constitution and the 1st Amendment can be allowed to happen. Adding insult to injury, the only “evidence” cited by (DHS) is a selectively edited video from a pro-Israel outlet founded by a former Israeli intelligence officer—while countless other videos, tweets, and posts demonstrating Sami’s consistent record are ignored.
I know you are a friend of Israel, but I also know you do not want the world to see the U.S. ignoring its founding values to silence a journalist. How would you tell Europe or the world to respect free speech if Sami is barred or deported for expressing an opinion?
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I call upon you to intervene and help restore Sami’s visa and freedom of travel, allowing him to continue speaking his mind without fear or restriction. Sami believes in justice and dignity for all humankind. He holds positive views of Americans and recently said: “Americans don’t have an aversion to truth; they are willing to see things with an open mind.”
He also said: “Racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, genocide, and war crimes need no explanation or definitions for humanity to recognize them and stand firmly against them. I believe in humanity and the natural good that exists in human beings.”
Please do not allow Sami to lose faith in these cherished values. He is a young man driven by the ideal of a compassionate and caring humanity—one that upholds truth and justice even in difficult times.
The moral truth in this matter is evident to anyone of faith or conscience: what Israel has done—and continues to do—in Gaza cannot be condoned. To speak the truth about it, as Sami has done, is not a crime but a moral duty. He should be encouraged, not sanctioned and barred from entering America.
I respectfully urge you to intervene, protect his freedom, and allow him to continue speaking his mind.
Sincerely,
Mohamed E Hamdi
Background
Sami Hamdi arrived in the U.S. on October 19 using a valid visa. While in California, he spoke at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala event in Sacramento. He was 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.
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.
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.
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.
