Sami Hamdi, a well-known British journalist and political analyst, is being held at San Francisco International Airport by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official and human rights organizations have offered radically different justifications for the action, sparking controversy.
What is the Official Reason for the Detention?
The DHS has confirmed the detention and provided a clear, albeit broad, justification. Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, stated on social media that Sami Hamdi’s visa was revoked and he is in ICE custody pending removal from the United States. She attached her statement to a post from a right-wing activist who had called for Hamdi’s deportation. McLaughlin framed the action as a matter of national security, adding, “Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country. It’s commonsense.”
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Why Do Advocacy Groups Dispute the Government’s Claim?
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights organization in the U.S., has called for Hamdi’s immediate release. They argue that the incarceration is politically motivated, challenging the government’s story. According to CAIR, Hamdi was probably imprisoned because he publicly criticized Israel’s military operations in Gaza. They further claim the action was a result of pressure from what they describe as an “anti-Muslim, pro-Israel extremist.” This sets up a direct conflict between the government’s national security rationale and the advocacy group’s claim of political persecution.
🚨 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
Who is Sami Hamdi, the Detained Journalist?
Understanding the controversy requires knowing who Sami Hamdi is. He is not an unknown figure; he is the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company. His professional role involves advising governments and corporations on geopolitics in Europe and the Middle East. He is a familiar commentator on major networks like Al Jazeera, BBC, and Sky News. Hamdi is a graduate of SOAS University of London and comes from a family with a deep background in political activism.
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What Shaped Hamdi’s Political Outlook?
Hamdi’s political awareness was heavily influenced by his father, Mohamed Hechmi Hamdi, a Tunisian political activist who fled to London under threat of persecution. In past interviews, Hamdi described his father’s imprisonment and activism against dictatorial regimes. Although Hamdi initially dreamed of a career in football, he was steered toward politics and analysis after reading influential works on political and religious identity. He has described his career in risk analysis as “liberating,” allowing him to challenge feelings of powerlessness in the face of powerful systems.
