(KRON) – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a Muslim man known to some as a journalist and political commentator at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin said.
The man, Sami Hamdi, remains in ICE custody and has had his visa revoked, McLaughlin told X. McLaughlin praised Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for firing Hamdi.
“Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country,” McLaughlin wrote. “It’s common sense.”
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, an Islamic civil liberties and advocacy organization known as CAIR National, called Hamdi’s arrest an “injustice.”
“Earlier this morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents kidnapped British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi at San Francisco airport, in apparent retaliation for his outspoken criticism of the Israeli government during his ongoing speaking tour,” CAIR National wrote. “We can confirm that Mr. Hamdi has not been deported and remains in detention. Our lawyers and partners are working to address this injustice.”
According to Hamdi LinkedIn profileHe is the editor-in-chief of International interestwhich is described as “a current affairs magazine with a particular focus on the politics of the Middle East, the Far East, Asia and the United Kingdom.” A person with the same name has also written multiple articles for Al Jazeera in 2022.
“Everyone should realize that the arrest of a British citizen lawfully visiting the United States because he dared to criticize genocide committed by a foreign country is our government’s latest blatant affront to freedom of expression,” CAIR National wrote. “Our nation must stop kidnapping critics of the Israeli government at the behest of deranged fanatics who believe in Israel first; this is Israel first policy, not America first policy, and it must end.”
ICE sent KRON4 the following statement in response to Hamdi’s arrest:
Sami Hamdi, 35, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement today at San Francisco International Airport and is in ICE custody. Hamdi entered the United States on a visitor visa on October 19, through John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California. The Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs canceled Hamdi’s visa on October 24, 2025, effective immediately. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained Hamdi, because he was in the country illegally, and will be submitted to immigration proceedings.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement