[Order Michael Finch’s new book, A Time to Stand: HERE. Prof. Jason Hill calls it “an aesthetic and political tour de force.”]
Although the Guardian reports that ICE detained Sami Hamdi “after criticism of Israel on US tour,” much more than that was involved. “ICE detains British journalist after criticism of Israel on US tour | US immigration,” by Michael Sainato, Guardian, October 26, 2025:
The British journalist Sami Hamdi was reportedly detained on Sunday morning by federal immigration authorities at San Francisco international airport, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) says that action is apparent retaliation for the Muslim political commentator’s criticism of Israel while touring the US.
A statement from Cair said it was “a blatant affront to free speech” to detain Hamdi for criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza while he engaged on a speaking tour in the US. A Trump administration official added in a separate statement that Hamdi was facing deportation.
“Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice,” Cair’s statement said. The statement also called on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “to immediately account for and release Mr Hamdi”, saying his only “‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government” that Cair accused of having “committed genocide”.
The press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, wrote of Hamdi in a social media post: “This individual’s visa was revoked, and he is in ICE custody pending removal.”..
If mere criticism of Israel caused ICE to target Hamdi, ICE would have time for nothing else. Think about it: all across America and other Western countries, hordes of disruptive pro-Hamas demonstrators wave their Palestinian flags and slam Israel.
Qatar-owned Al Jazeera went further, blaming the “pro-Israel lobby” for Hamdi’s arrest, while the unindicted co-conspirator in a Hamas funding case, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), accused ICE of a “kidnapping.” According to the European Palestinian Council, “Hamdi had spoken the previous day at an event organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Sacramento, California. CAIR confirmed in a statement that his arrest prevented him from attending another of their events in Florida on Sunday.” No wonder CAIR is frothing at the mouth. The day of its own accountability may be looming.
Newsweek published an accurate story: DHS Revokes Visa for British Journalist Accused of Supporting Terrorism.
There is a reason for the scathing reaction to Hamdi’s detainment from certain corners. The truth about why Hamdi was actually detained wasn’t about his criticism of Israel, as has been absurdly suggested. It is explained by Amy Mek:
🚨 NATIONAL SECURITY THREAT — DHS MUST DEPORT SAMI HAMDI
A foreign national is moving freely across the United States — speaking from mosques, universities, and CAIR-run stages — while training U.S. Muslims in digital agitation, electoral sabotage, and political warfare in… pic.twitter.com/hJyobLkPD5
— Amy Mek (@AmyMek) October 22, 2025
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.
Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed… https://t.co/JByZdGznpb
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 26, 2025
Hamdi’s detainment follows the recent report that Texas Rep. Chip Roy and other House Republicans are pushing for a long overdue bill to prohibit the Sharia and deport Sharia-adherent aliens.
