The family of British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi say he is suffering a “health emergency” while in US immigration detention, and have called on the UK government to “intervene immediately.”
Hamdi, who has been in custody for more than a week, reportedly told his wife, Soumaya, that he was experiencing “excruciating pain on his left side,” according to a family statement. His relatives believe the outspoken advocate for Palestinian rights is being punished by the Trump administration for his criticism of Israel.
“We are devastated to announce that our dear Sami Hamdi has suffered a health emergency in US ICE detention,” the family said. “In a phone call with his wife this weekend, Sami shared that he was experiencing excruciating pain on his left side and needed to be seen by a medical professional immediately.
“He has now been able to access medical attention, but we remain deeply concerned that his continued detention is damaging his health. It broke our hearts to hear our cherished Sami — a strong and resilient father, husband, and son — describe how badly he was suffering, all while being wrongfully held.”
Hamdi was arrested last Sunday at San Francisco International Airport and remains in the custody of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His wife said he risks being denied food if he misses designated mealtimes and is awaiting an immigration hearing scheduled for November 10.
The family statement continued: “Sami, an advocate of free speech, was arrested for his support for Palestinian human rights. A US federal court has acknowledged that his lawyers have raised serious questions about whether his detention was retaliation for expression protected under the First Amendment.
“Nevertheless, we are baffled that he remains detained given he wants to return to Britain on the next departing flight. We demand the UK Government intervene immediately to ensure Sami is returned home before his health deteriorates further.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
“We demand the UK government intervene immediately to ensure Sami is immediately returned home to us before his health suffers any further.”
Supporters have been urged to contact their MPs in the UK, as well as representatives and senators in the US, to call for Hamdi’s release.
A US federal court has also raised “serious questions” about the legal basis for detaining Hamdi, according to legal advocacy group CAIR.
The US and UK governments have not commented further on the matter.
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.
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.
