CAIR Demands Release of British Journalist Sami Hamdi Detained by ICE at San Francisco Airport

British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi was detained by U.S. immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport while on a speaking tour organized by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). CAIR condemned the detention, asserting it was due to Hamdi's criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they characterized as genocide, and called for his immediate release, framing the detention as a violation of free speech. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Hamdi's visa was revoked, and he was held in ICE custody pending removal. The detention was reportedly influenced by far-right activist Laura Loomer, who publicly celebrated Hamdi's arrest and claimed credit for it, prompting CAIR to denounce what they described as an "Israel First policy" overriding American interests. CAIR's attorneys are actively working to address the situation, emphasizing that Hamdi's only "crime" was his political commentary. This incident has sparked broader concerns about the suppression of critics of Israeli policies in the United States under the current administration.