The US government revoked Hamdi’s visa upon his arrest and announced plans to deport him rather than allow him to continue his speaking tour of the country.
The family of British Muslim political commentator and journalist Sami Hamdi has called for his immediate release, saying his detention by US immigration authorities appears to be “a politically motivated act of intimidation.”
Hamdi was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers at San Francisco Airport on Sunday before he was to board a flight to Florida for a speaking event hosted by the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Soumaya, the wife of UK journalist Sami Hamdi, has called for his immediate release after he was detained by US immigration officials following the revocation of his visa on baseless “national security” grounds.
She condemned the detention as a politically motivated attempt to… pic.twitter.com/aNb12mQoby
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) October 30, 2025
“Sami is an acclaimed journalist and political commentator, widely recognized for his work on global affairs and for speaking out courageously on issues of justice and human rights — including Palestinian rights,” his family said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
They emphasized that “His sudden detention by the US government appears to be a politically motivated act of intimidation, and intended to silence journalists and commentators who speak truth to power.”
His wife, Soumaya, said the family was “convinced that an error has been made,” adding, “We believe that once officials understand my husband’s background and advocacy, this matter will be redressed.”
‘Targeted’ for Palestinian Support
Describing him as “devoted husband, father, son, and friend”, Soumaya noted Sami was on a speaking tour across North America when a politicized group of social media influencers targeted him for his support for Palestinian rights.”
“They have mischaracterized my husband and his views in an effort to discredit and silence him. Sami is a highly effective political commentator and analyst and was invited to share his expertise on Sky News just last week,” she stated.
This was Sami Hamdi’s last media interview in the English language press.
He was no threat to the U.S.
Entered legally. Committed no crime.
His only crime was opposing Israel’s genocidepic.twitter.com/4hv1sFIy7g
— Dilly Hussain (@DillyHussain88) October 30, 2025
Soumaya emphasized that his advocacy at events across the US “is simple” in that “millions of Americans are facing food insecurity and falling living standards.”
Request for Full Consular Support
Soumaya stated that he argued that taxpayers’ money should prioritize healthcare, housing, and welfare “rather than being depleted by providing political support for Israel”.
“Sami believes no country’s foreign policy should emphasize the interests of another state,” his wife noted.
US to Deport British Commentator Sami Hamdi amid Crackdown on Palestine Voices
The statement added that Hamdi’s arrest by ICE “is the latest in a series of attempts by US authorities to suppress free speech and opposition to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.”
Soumaya urged the UK government to provide full consular support for Hamdi, stressing, “It has yet to do so.”
“I also ask them to defend my husband and provide the protection and support that every British citizen deserves. So far, we are becoming increasingly concerned by their lack of action and communication, and we hope this changes soon,” she stated.
Outspoken Criticism of US Policies
The US government revoked Hamdi’s visa upon his arrest and announced plans to deport him rather than allow him to continue his speaking tour of the country.
“Our aims are straightforward: we want Sami brought home to his family in the UK immediately and for his good name to be cleared,” Soumaya stated.
The government may want to make an example out of Sami Hamdi, to silence a voice that refuses to flatter power. Instead, they have again made an example of themselves.
Read my latest full article @RNS here: https://t.co/JG5Ycerchh pic.twitter.com/lNPs5FTVDJ
— Dr. Omar Suleiman (@omarsuleiman) October 28, 2025
Known for his outspoken criticism of Western policies in the Middle East and his advocacy for Palestinian rights, Hamdi had spoken on Saturday at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala in Sacramento, California.
He was scheduled to speak at another CAIR event in Florida on Sunday, but was detained at San Francisco International Airport before his flight.
Legal Action
CAIR said it had met with Hamdi in ICE detention on Tuesday in McFarland, California and had filed for a habeas petition to protect his constitutional rights and for an emergency temporary restraining order (TRO) to block the government from transferring him away from his legal team.
CAIR California attorneys met with British journalist Sami Hamdi in ICE detention and filed a habeas petition & emergency TRO to block his transfer out of state.
Sami’s only “crime” was speaking truth. Free speech is an American value—defend it.
https://t.co/ffDA6vIoG8 pic.twitter.com/CBCBZfluDk— CAIR-SFBA (@CAIRSFBA) October 28, 2025
“If the government can cancel a valid visa because it does not like what a person says or believes, then anyone legally visiting, studying or working in our country—whether conservative or liberal, religious or secular—would be in danger of abduction and deportation if the government happens to dislike their speech. This is not what the Constitution permits or envisions, and this practice must end with Sami Hamdi,” CAIR stated.
Criticizing Hamdi’s detention, renowned Muslim scholar and activist, Dr. Omar Suleiman, said, “The government may want to make an example out of Sami Hamdi, to silence a voice that refuses to flatter power. Instead, they have again made an example of themselves.”
(The Palestine Chronicle)
