ICE detains British Muslim journalist, political commentator at San Francisco airport

By Jose Fabian

A British Muslim journalist and political commentator was detained at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, the Department of Homeland Security said.

In an X post just before 11:30 a.m. that day, Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the DHS, said Sami Hamdi was in ICE custody pending removal. Immigration officials say he supports terrorism and takes positions contrary to U.S. foreign policy, which they argue justifies his removal.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said Hamdi was in the U.S. for a speaking tour and immediately called for his release. 

“Hamdi spoke at the annual gala of CAIR Sacramento on Oct. 25 and was scheduled to speak at the gala of CAIR Florida tonight,” CAIR said.

Reshad Noorzay is the executive director of CAIR.

“He’s had a very consistent message, and that’s why we brought him here. He’s spoken very vocally against the Gaza genocide,” said Noorzay. “And he’s been calling on the Muslim community to continue engaging through political processes, through every legal measure: social media, activism, protests, whatever it might be.”

The organization said it was alerted to his detainment by Hamdi’s local hosts.

“This is a disturbing trend,” Noorzay said. “It’s very post-9/11, you know, ‘war on terror.’  Anyone that speaks up critcally. In the past, it was against the U.S. government policy. Sadly, now it’s anyone that speaks up against the Israeli government policy.”

In a statement to CBS News Bay Area, ICE confirmed Hamdi was detained at SFO and said it was because he was illegally in the country.

Hamdi had entered the U.S. legally with a visitor visa on Oct. 19, but it was revoked on Friday, Oct. 24, according to ICE.

“ICE detained Hamdi, as he was illegally in the country, and he will be placed in immigration proceedings,” ICE said.

CAIR said Hamdi has gone on speaking tours in the U.S. numerous other times and that they believe he was detained due to his criticisms of Israel. CAIR has called on ICE to release Hamdi.

Bill Hing, professor of Law and Migration Studies at the University of San Francisco, said there is a provision in immigration law where someone can be removed for taking a position that is “contrary to American foreign policy,” but it’s never been used in this way.

“These are the first incidents where that’s being used,” he said. “And the question is going to be, is taking a position critical of Israel, is that in fact contrary to U.S. foreign policy?”

ICE gave no updates on Monday about Hamdi’s status or whereabouts.