British political commentator and pro-Palestinian advocate Sami Hamdi is expected to be released from U.S. immigration detention, his family announced on Monday, two weeks after he was taken into custody midway through a national speaking tour.
Hamdi was detained by U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials on October 26, and his visa was revoked shortly afterward.
Authorities had stated at the time that he would be deported rather than permitted to complete his speaking engagements across the United States.
A spokesperson for the department, Tricia McLaughlin, said then that “those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country” under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Hamdi’s family said in a statement that “the government has agreed to release Sami. He will be able to return home soon,” adding that further details about his release would be shared later.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declined to confirm the release, referring instead to an earlier statement asserting that Hamdi had entered the U.S. in California on October 19, and that his visa was revoked on October 24, effective immediately.
ICE said Hamdi was detained because “he was in the country illegally” after the visa cancellation.
The badge of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is embroidered on a polo shirt of an ICE employee in Arlington, Texas, U.S. August 26, 2025. REUTERS/Shelby Tauber
Before his detention, Hamdi had spoken at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) gala in California and was scheduled to appear at another CAIR event in Florida. The group and his wife said he was detained at San Francisco International Airport while preparing to travel to the next stop on his tour.
CAIR confirmed on Monday that Hamdi had agreed to leave the United States voluntarily, after his visa was revoked “without cause and without prior notice.” The immigration documents in his case reportedly cited a visa overstay as the official reason for his detention.
“Sami’s case shows how quickly our government officials are willing to sacrifice our First Amendment and free press when a journalist uses his platform to dare put America first before Israel,” said Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR’s Los Angeles office.
Rights groups and press freedom advocates have condemned Hamdi’s detention, describing it as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to suppress dissenting voices critical of Israel and supportive of Palestinians.
Since January, the administration has intensified immigration crackdowns, including stricter social media vetting, revoking visas of individuals accused of promoting “anti-American” views, and deporting students and residents who have voiced support for Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
