LONDON (AP) — British political commentator Sami Hamdi stated on his return to the UK that he is contemplating legal action against US authorities after his detention in an immigration facility, which he asserts was linked to his outspoken views on Gaza and Israel.
Hamdi's remarks came just two days after he revealed his decision to leave the US voluntarily after an immigration ordeal. He commended federal judges for their decision that he interprets as an exoneration, describing his detention as a “botched” operation facilitated by “extremists” in the U.S. government.
“It was not just an attack on me; it was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide,” he declared to journalists outside a hotel near London’s Heathrow Airport.
Hamdi, a 35-year-old Muslim, was on a speaking tour in the U.S. when he was arrested on October 26 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This incident occurred shortly after he addressed a gala for the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security had stated at the time of Hamdi's arrest that the State Department revoked his visa, leading to his detention within immigration proceedings. They later accused him of having supported Hamas-led attacks on Israel that took place on October 7, 2023.
Hamdi claims that he did not express support for violence but sought to highlight it as a consequence of the prolonged oppression of Palestinians. He emphasized, “I did nothing illegal in the U.S. All of my activities were within the constraints of my visa, which was revoked due to my advocacy for Palestine and Gaza.”
Hamdi's detention is seen as part of wider initiatives from the Trump administration targeting foreigners allegedly inciting unrest or supporting protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. Civil rights advocates have criticized these actions, asserting that they violate constitutional rights to free speech, which should extend to everyone in the United States.
Now back in the UK, Hamdi continues to weigh the decision to take legal action but is cautious, stating, “Cool heads” in the U.S. State Department and judicial system eventually acknowledged his rights. He expressed pride in having triumphed in court, saying, “I won this case; the extremists failed to silence my voice and remove my freedom of speech. America stood with me.”
As he re-establishes his footing, Hamdi confirmed that there are no conditions governing his voluntary departure, and he remains open to applying for a U.S. visa in the future.
