British Analyst Released After Weeks in US Custody
The family of British journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi has announced he is to be released from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The development comes after weeks of detention that sparked international concern and accusations of political targeting.
Controversial Detention and Visa Revocation
Mr Hamdi was initially detained by US immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport on 26 October. Following his arrest, the US Department of Homeland Security revealed his visa had been revoked, stating that individuals who "support terrorism and undermine American national security" would not be permitted to work or visit the country.
The detention attracted significant attention after conservative figures urged the Trump administration to expel Hamdi from the United States. This pressure followed his appearance at a gala for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in California, where he was scheduled to speak at another of the organisation's events in Florida.
Family Announcement and Voluntary Departure
In a statement released by his family, they declared: "Alhamdulillah, good news. The government has agreed to release Sami. He will be able to return home soon insha'Allah. Additional details forthcoming." According to CAIR, Hamdi accepted an offer to leave the United States voluntarily, bringing the contentious case to a resolution.
The immigration charging document in Mr Hamdi's case allegedly cited only a visa overstay, which occurred after the government revoked his visa without cause and without prior notice. Notably, the document never identified any criminal conduct or security grounds for his detention.
CAIR emphasised the significance of the agreement, stating: "This agreement establishes that the government does not consider Hamdi a danger to the community or to national security."
Political Commentary and Professional Background
Hussam Ayloush, CEO of CAIR's California chapter, commented sharply on the situation: "It is this simple: Sami never should have spent a single night in an ICE cell. His only real 'offence' was speaking clearly about Israel's genocidal war crimes against Palestinians."
Mr Hamdi, who serves as managing director of the International Interest, a global risk and intelligence company, has regularly appeared as an analyst and commentator on British television networks, including Sky News. His detention raised questions about press freedom and political expression for media professionals travelling internationally.
The resolution of this case marks the end of a challenging period for the journalist and his family, while continuing to highlight ongoing tensions around immigration enforcement and political speech.
