British journalist Sami Hamdi was detained by U.S. federal immigration authorities at San Francisco International Airport on Sunday morning.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the detention, calling it retaliation for Hamdi’s criticisms of Israel during a U.S. tour and describing the action as a “flagrant violation of free speech”, demanding his release.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, Hamdi’s visa was revoked, and he is currently in ICE custody pending deportation, citing U.S. laws that bar individuals who support terrorism or threaten national security from remaining in the country.
Hamdi is the latest in a series of immigrants detained or deported for pro-Palestinian views, despite a recent court ruling that deemed this policy unconstitutional.
