The family of British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi say he is due to be released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after more than two weeks in detention.
Hamdi, 35, was detained by immigration officers at San Francisco International Airport on 26 October while on a speaking tour in the United States. His arrest came after the US Department of Homeland Security claimed his visa had been revoked, stating that “those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country.”
Following his detention, prominent American Zionists Amy Mekelburg and Laura Loomer called on the Trump administration to expel Hamdi from the country. The campaign against him intensified online after he appeared at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala in California and was scheduled to speak at another CAIR event in Florida.
CAIR condemned the arrest, describing it as politically motivated and a direct punishment for Hamdi’s criticism and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
On Monday evening, Hamdi’s family released a statement announcing his forthcoming release.
They said: “Alhamdulillah, good news. The government has agreed to release Sami. He will be able to return home soon insha’Allah. Additional details forthcoming.”
The California chapter of CAIR, along with co-counsel Hassan M. Ahmad of the HMA Law Firm and the Muslim Legal Fund of America (MLFA), welcomed the decision to release Hamdi following his arrest.
Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated on the latest news and updates from around the Muslim world!
The group said the immigration charging document filed in his case alleged only a visa overstay — after the government revoked his visa without cause and without prior notice — and never identified any criminal conduct or security grounds. This agreement establishes that the government does not consider Hamdi a danger to the community or to national security.
CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said: “It is this simple: Sami never should have spent a single night in an ICE cell. His only real ‘offence’ was speaking clearly about Israel’s genocidal war crimes against Palestinians. Sami’s case shows how quickly our government officials are willing to sacrifice our First Amendment and free press when a journalist uses his platform to dare put America first before Israel.
“His forthcoming release is welcome, but it does not erase the message this sends to every activist and journalist watching — and every authoritarian dictatorship worldwide who can now claim they are following America’s example.”
Since January, the Trump administration has intensified its immigration crackdown, which includes heightened social media vetting, visa revocations for individuals accused of “praising terrorism,” and deportations of student visa and green card holders who have voiced support for Palestinians or criticised Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
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.
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.
