British political commentator Sami Hamdi has announced he is exploring the possibility of taking legal action against United States authorities following his contentious detention in an immigration centre, an ordeal he attributes directly to his public statements on the conflict in Gaza.
Detention and Allegations
Upon his return to the UK on Thursday 13 November 2025, Hamdi addressed journalists and supporters near London's Heathrow Airport. The 35-year-old commentator, who is Muslim, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on 26 October while on a speaking tour in the United States.
The arrest occurred just one day after he had spoken at the annual gala for the Sacramento, California, chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The US Department of Homeland Security stated at the time that his visa had been revoked by the State Department, leading to immigration proceedings. Homeland Security later accused him of supporting the Hamas-led attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023.
A Clash Over Free Speech
Hamdi has vehemently denied these accusations, clarifying that his intent was not to praise the attacks but to suggest they were a "natural consequence of the oppression that is being put on the Palestinians." He asserted that all his actions in the US were legal and within the limits of his visa.
"I did nothing illegal in the U.S.," Hamdi stated. "The visa was revoked because of my advocacy for Palestine. It was revoked because of advocacy for Gaza." His case forms part of a wider pattern of enforcement actions by US authorities targeting foreigners accused of supporting protests against Israel's military operations in Gaza, a policy heavily criticised by civil rights groups as an infringement on freedom of speech protections.
Victory and Contemplated Legal Action
Two days after revealing his voluntary departure from the US, Hamdi praised federal judges for exonerating him, describing his detention as a "botched" effort by "extremists" within the US government. "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," he told the press.
While celebrating his victory, Hamdi confirmed he is in discussions with his lawyers about suing American authorities. However, he expressed hesitation, acknowledging that "cool heads" in the US State Department and federal court system had ultimately prevailed. "In respect of those cooler minds, I would rather celebrate," he said. "I won this case, the extremists failed to silence my voice, they failed to remove my freedom of speech. America stood with me."
He confirmed there are no conditions attached to his voluntary departure and that he is not barred from applying for another US visa in the future.
