(KRON) — A Muslim man recognized as a journalist and political commentator by some was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at the San Francisco International Airport Sunday morning, according to the Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin.
The man, Sami Hamdi, remains in ICE custody and his visa was revoked, McLaughlin stated on X. McLaughlin praised Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for Hamdi’s removal.
“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” McLaughlin wrote. “It’s common sense.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, a Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization known as CAIR National, called Hamdi’s detention an “injustice.”
“Earlier this morning, ICE agents abducted British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi at San Francisco Airport, apparently in response to his vocal criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour,” CAIR National wrote. “We can confirm that Mr. Hamdi has not been deported and remains in custody. Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice.”
According to Hamdi’s LinkedIn profile, he is the Editor-In-Chief at The International Interest, which is described as “a current affairs magazine with a particular focus on the politics of the Middle East, Far East Asia and the United Kingdom.” A person with the same name also wrote multiple articles for AlJazeera in 2022.
“Everyone should recognize that arresting a British citizen legally visiting the United States because he dared to criticize a foreign nation’s genocide is our government’s latest blatant affront to free speech,” CAIR National wrote. “Our nation must stop abducting critics of the Israeli government at the behest of unhinged Israel-first bigots; this is an Israel-first policy, not an America-first policy, and it must end.”
ICE sent KRON4 the following statement in response to Hamdi’s detainment:
ICE arrested Sami Hamdi, 35, today at San Francisco International Airport and he is in ICE custody. Hamdi entered the United States on a visitor visa Oct. 19, through John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs revoked Hamdi’s visa Oct. 24, 2025, effective immediately. ICE detained Hamdi, as he was illegally in the country, and he will be placed in immigration proceedings.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
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