UK commentator detained by ICE after Israel criticism to be released, family says

"The family of British political commentator Sami Hamdi, who was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in late October while on a speaking tour in the US, say he is set to be released and will be able to return home soon. The government has agreed to release Sami, the family said in a statement on Monday. He will be able to return home soon insha'Allah. Hamdi was detained on 26 October at San Francisco international airport."

"At the time, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) said his detention appeared to be in retaliation for the Muslim political commentator's criticism of Israel while touring the US, calling it a blatant affront to free speech, and called for his release. Later on 26 October, the Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, said that Hamdi's visa had been revoked and that he was in ICE custody pending removal."

"Under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country, McLaughlin said. In a separate statement that same day, the state department said that the US has no obligation to host foreigners who support terrorism and actively undermine the safety of Americans. We continue to revoke the visas of persons engaged in such activity. The Guardian reported last month that the US officials appeared to be referencing remarks Hamdi made following the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel,"

Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement on 26 October after his visa was revoked. His family say the government has agreed to release him and that he will be able to return home soon insha'Allah. The Council on American-Islamic Relations described the detention as retaliatory for Hamdi's criticism of Israel and called it an affront to free speech. Department of Homeland Security and state department statements said visas are revoked for those who support terrorism and undermine American national security. US officials referenced remarks Hamdi made after the 7 October Hamas attacks and DHS shared a Memri video; Hamdi later sought to clarify his comments.

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