Sami Hamdi Considers Legal Action Against U.S. Authorities After Detention

Thu Nov 13 2025 21:24:16 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

British political commentator Sami Hamdi has returned to the UK, contemplating legal action against U.S. authorities following his detention linked to his views on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Sami Hamdi, a British political commentator, returns to the UK after his voluntary departure from the U.S., where he faced detention for alleged support of violence related to Israel. Hamdi claims his views on Gaza caused his visa revocation, citing an infringement on free speech. While considering a lawsuit against U.S. authorities, he acknowledges the role of thoughtful officials in his case's resolution.

LONDON (AP) — British political commentator Sami Hamdi announced on his return to the UK that he is considering taking legal action against U.S. authorities following his recent detention at an immigration center, which he attributes to his outspoken views on Gaza and Israel.

Hamdi, who had been on a speaking tour in the U.S., was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on October 26, just a day after addressing a gala for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Sacramento, California. Upon his arrival back in London, he claimed federal judges had validated his stance, describing his detention as a “botched” operation by “extremists” within the U.S. government.

“This was not merely an attack on me; it was an infringement on the freedoms of everyday Americans and citizens globally,” Hamdi stated to supporters outside a hotel near Heathrow Airport.

Hamdi explained that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security cited a revoked visa as the basis for his detention, alleging his association with Hamas-led actions against Israel on October 7, 2023. Nonetheless, he clarified that his comments regarding violent actions were intended to reflect the response to the oppression faced by Palestinians, not to condone the violence.

“I did nothing illegal in the U.S.,” Hamdi affirmed. “The visa was revoked due to my advocacy for Palestine and Gaza.” His case aligns with broader Trump-era immigration efforts that sought to identify and potentially expel foreigners accused of supporting protests against Israeli military actions.

Critics, including civil rights groups, have condemned these enforcement actions, arguing they violate constitutional protections for freedom of speech, which should equally apply to non-citizens. Hamdi, 35, is now weighing the option of suing U.S. authorities but expressed some hesitation, citing respect for officials in the State Department and court system who contributed to his eventual exoneration.

“I prefer to celebrate; I won the case, and the extremists could not silence my voice,” he stated. Hamdi also revealed that his departure was voluntary, with no conditions attached, leaving the door open for future U.S. visa applications.