Sami Hamdi, a British journalist and Muslim political commentator, has been detained by U.S. immigration officials after criticizing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza while on a public speaking tour in the United States.

This is a direct threat to free speech—and it cannot stand.

Hamdi was taken into custody by ICE at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning. His visa was revoked with no clear explanation beyond vague claims of national security risks—shortly after he gave a public address critical of Israel.

Now, he faces deportation. The message is chilling: if you speak out against a U.S. ally, even as a foreign guest, you may be silenced.

According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), this is not an isolated case. Several other pro-Palestinian voices—both citizens and foreign visitors—have been detained or deported in recent months. The fact that political allies of Donald Trump are openly taking credit for targeting Hamdi only underscores the overt political motivation behind this detention.

Freedom of speech is not a privilege reserved for those with the “right” opinions. It is a cornerstone of democracy. Detaining a journalist for criticizing a foreign government—whether you agree with him or not—sets a dangerous precedent. Today it’s Hamdi. Tomorrow, it could be anyone.

We call on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately release Sami Hamdi and halt any deportation proceedings.

We also urge Congress to investigate this disturbing trend of politically motivated visa revocations.

Silencing dissent—especially from a journalist—violates American values and international human rights norms. Sign now to demand his release.