UK citizen Sami Hamdi detained by ICE for ‘supporting terrorism’ on American soil
A British man has been detained by American immigration authorities for his ‘support of terrorism’, according to a senior US immigration official.
Sami Hamdi describes himself as a commentator on Middle East and North Africa (MENA) issues at X, an advisor to companies and stakeholders, and also the General Manager of International Interest.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin shared on Sunday that Hamdi’s ‘visa has been revoked and he is in ICE custody pending deportation.’
McLaughlin also stated in his X post that ‘those who support terrorism and undermine American national security under President Trump will not be allowed to work or visit this country’, adding that ‘this is common sense’.
He was arrested by ICE at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning.
Hamdi frequently shares anti-Israeli content on his social media and features his views on Hamas and the conflict in the Middle East on reputable TV channels.
He appeared on Sky News on 15 October and said: ‘Given that Trump has imposed a ceasefire on reluctant Israelis after reportedly engaging directly with Hamas and is being lobbied by Turkey to establish an international force in Gaza, Israel is exploring how to return to war without offending Trump.’
Hamdi often states that Netanyahu does not want the war in Gaza to end.
Hamdi’s visa has been revoked and he is being held in ICE custody pending deportation
Ten days after the October 7 Hamas attacks that claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis, Hamdi was filmed encouraging people to ‘celebrate the victory’ of the terrorist organisation.
‘Celebrate the victory! “Allah has shown the world that no normalization can eliminate the Palestinian cause,” Hamdi said, ten days after the worst single-day loss of life for Jews since the genocide.
‘Just when everyone thinks it’s over, it roars! How many of you feel this in your hearts? How many of you felt the euphoria when you got the news that this was happening? Allahu Akbar! How many of you felt that?’
Hamdi was banned from speaking at two universities in Canada after his previous comments were revealed.
The announcement came from the White House He was reported to be unhappy With the speed of the exiles.
A New York Times report on Friday noted that more than 400,000 deportations have occurred so far during the second Trump administration, according to DHS.
This number is said to be below Stephen Miller’s target of 3,000 per day, with the current average being between 1,000 and 2,000 per day.
By the end of the year, Trump is now on track to deport 600,000 illegal immigrants, according to DHS; This falls short of its target of 1 million.
In this report from the New York Times, McLaughlin is quoted as saying that “the Trump administration remains focused on getting results and removing violent criminal illegal aliens from this country,” adding that “no changes have been made to personnel and we have nothing to announce.”
Hamdi’s arrest comes four days after the publication of a report by Amy ‘Mek’ Mekelburg, founder and editor-in-chief of Rise Align Ignite Reclaim (RAIR). I defined it as a security threat.
The British commentator was arrested by ICE at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning.
Mekelburg described Hamdi as ‘not a journalist passing through America’ but ‘an actor recruited from the overseas cadre system that trains Western Muslims for mobilization on the coast’.
He also noted that Hamdi supports extremist figures, ‘praises Hamas hostage-taking as ‘mercy” and appears to be ‘with America’s most aggressive Islamist agitators, militant imams and groups with documented histories of terrorism ties.’
Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) explained Hamdi’s arrest was considered a ‘clear insult to freedom of expression’.
CAIR also noted: ‘Our nation must stop kidnapping critics of the Israeli government at the behest of Israel First zealots; This is not an America First policy, it is an Israel First policy, and it must end.’
