British political commentator is greeted by his household after flying house from the US after being held by ICE for 2 weeks
A British pro-Palestinian political commentator who was held by American immigration officials for two weeks has returned to the UK.
Sami Hamdi was detained on October 26 at San Francisco International Airport after US officials revoked his visa during a speaking tour in which he criticised Israel‘s actions in Gaza.
Hamdi – who was pictured wearing a keffiyeh scarf – was embraced by his family as he landed in London‘s Heathrow Airport on Thursday, telling reporters: ‘It’s wonderful to be back after being exonerated by two federal judges, both of whom found that there were serious breaches of freedom of speech.’
He said the only allegation against him was overstaying his visa after it was revoked without warning.
Hamdi insisted he had complied with all visa conditions and alleged the move was linked to his advocacy for Gaza.
‘I want to say that this wasn’t just an attack on me. It was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide. It was an attack on their freedom to speak the truth in the face of hatred,’ he said.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Hamdi’s visa was cancelled under security rules and that he was in the country illegally.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin shared following his detention that Hamdi’s ‘visa was revoked and he is in ICE custody pending removal’.
British political commentator Sami Hamdi has returned to the UK after spending two weeks in ICE detention in the US
Hamdi was greeted by his family in Heathrow Airport on Thursday
McLaughlin also added in her X post that, ‘under President Trump, those who support terrorism and undermine American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country’, adding ‘it’s commonsense’.
Rights groups and press freedom advocates condemned the detention, calling it an attack on free speech.
Hamdi, managing director of The International Interest, a political risk consultancy, and a frequent analyst on British television, had spoken at a gala for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in California and was scheduled to appear at another event in Florida before his arrest.
The Trump administration has pursued a sweeping immigration crackdown this year, including revoking visas for people accused of supporting terrorism and deporting foreign nationals who have voiced support for Palestinians.
Hamdi frequently posts anti-Israel content on his social media, and has featured on reputable TV stations speaking about his opinion on Hamas and the conflict in the Middle East.
On October 15, he appeared on Sky News saying: ‘Given Trump has imposed a ceasefire on the reluctant Israelis after reportedly engaging directly with Hamas, and is being lobbied by Turkey to establish an international force in Gaza, Israel is exploring how to go back to war without offending Trump.’
Ten days after the October 7 Hamas attacks, which claimed the lives of 1,200 Israelis, Hamdi was filmed encouraging people to ‘celebrate the victory’ of the terrorist organization.
Hamdi was detained on October 26 at San Francisco International Airport after US officials revoked his visa during a speaking tour in which he criticised Israel ‘s actions in Gaza
British pro-Palestinian commentator Sami Hamdi arrives with his family to a press conference, after being detained by U.S. immigration authorities for more than two weeks, in London, Britain, November 13, 2025
‘Celebrate the victory! Allah has shown the world that no normalization can erase the Palestinian cause,’ Hamdi said ten days after the worst loss of life for Jews in a single day since the holocaust.
‘When everybody thought it was finished, it’s roaring! How many of you feel it in your hearts? When you go the news that it happened, how many of you felt the euphoria? Allahu Akbar! How many of you felt it?’
Hamdi has previously been banned from speaking at two universities in Canada after his comments came to light.
