Sami Hamdi Considers Legal Action Following Detention in the U.S.

Thu Nov 13 2025 20:46:04 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

British political commentator Sami Hamdi expresses intentions to sue U.S. authorities over his immigration detention, claiming it was linked to his views on Gaza and Israel. After being detained by ICE, Hamdi advocates for free speech and reflects on the implications of his case.

Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, returned to the UK after being detained by U.S. authorities, where he claims his detention was tied to his advocacy for Gaza. Hamdi is contemplating legal action against the U.S. government, emphasizing the broader implications for free speech and warning against the suppression of dissenting voices. He described his experience as a fight for the freedoms of individuals worldwide.

LONDON — British political commentator Sami Hamdi landed back in the U.K. on Thursday, contemplating legal action against U.S. authorities due to his recent detention in an immigration facility. Hamdi alleges his detention was linked to his outspoken views on Gaza and Israel.

Following his announcement of a voluntary departure from the U.S., Hamdi expressed gratitude to federal judges who he believes cleared him of what he calls a botched detention, explicating that it was driven by extremists within the government.

This was not merely an assault on me; it was an attack against the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens around the globe, he stated to a gathering of journalists and supporters near Heathrow Airport upon his return.

Hamdi, who was in the U.S. for a speaking tour, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 26, shortly after addressing an event held by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Sacramento, California.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that Hamdi's visa had been revoked, with officials alleging ties to Hamas-led attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, as the rationale behind the detention.

Hamdi clarified that his statements were not meant to endorse violence but rather to contextualize it within the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians. I did nothing illegal in the U.S., he emphasized, attributing the visa revocation solely to his advocacy.

His detention forms part of a broader push by the U.S. government under the previous administration to identify foreigners allegedly inciting unrest or supporting protests against Israeli operations in Gaza. These enforcement actions have raised concerns among civil rights organizations, who claim such measures infringe on constitutional rights for free expression.

Despite considering a lawsuit against the American government, Hamdi expressed hesitation, crediting cool heads in both the State Department and the judicial system for his release. I won this case; extremists failed to silence my voice, he stated, reflecting a sense of victory for free speech.

Hamdi confirmed that his departure did not carry any restrictions and he remains eligible to apply for a U.S. visa in the future.