Sami Hamdi was arrested at San Francisco International Airport while in the midst of a speaking tour in the United States.
Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator and pro-Palestinian activist, was detained by immigration enforcement officers on Oct. 26 and is expected to be deported after authorities revoked his visa, citing national security concerns.
Hamdi had been in Sacramento, California, as part of a speaking tour organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim advocacy group in the United States. He spoke at CAIR Sacramento’s annual gala on Oct. 25 and was scheduled to address another CAIR event in Florida the following night.
According to CAIR, Hamdi was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at San Francisco International Airport on the morning of Oct. 26 while heading to Florida.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed Hamdi’s arrest.
“Thanks to the work of [Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem] and [Secretary of State Marco Rubio], and the men and women of law enforcement, this individual’s visa was revoked and he is in ICE custody pending removal,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X.
Thanks to the work of @Sec_Noem and @SecRubio and the men and women of law enforcement, this individual’s visa was revoked and he is in ICE custody pending removal.
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 26, 2025
Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed… https://t.co/JByZdGznpb
McLaughlin cited a report by RAIR Foundation USA—an activist group focusing on the threat of Islamic extremism—which accused Hamdi of endorsing terrorism and of associating with foreign terrorist networks through his public appearances.
“Under President [Donald] Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” she said.
“It’s common sense.”
CAIR, in a statement, condemned Hamdi’s arrest as “a blatant affront to free speech,” saying that he was targeted “because he dared to criticize the Israeli government’s genocide” during his U.S. speaking tour.
“Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice,” CAIR stated.
“We call on ICE to immediately account for and release Mr. Hamdi, whose only ‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government that committed genocide.”
Hamdi is the managing director of The International Interest, an organization that describes itself as one that “advises on geopolitical environments and risks across the globe.”
Hamdi’s case is the latest among a series of visa revocations affecting foreign nationals who have publicly expressed pro-Palestinian, anti-Israeli government views.
By Bill Pan
