LONDON (AP) — British political commentator Sami Hamdi announced on Thursday that he may pursue legal action against U.S. authorities following his detention in an immigration center, which he asserts was a direct result of his views on Gaza and Israel.
Just days after he indicated that his departure from the U.S. was voluntary, Hamdi praised federal judges for exonerating him and characterized his detention as a flawed action spearheaded by 'extremists' within the U.S. government. He stated, 'This wasn’t just an attack on me, it was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide,' while addressing supporters upon his return near London’s Heathrow Airport.
Hamdi, who identifies as a Muslim, was initially detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 26 while on a speaking tour in the U.S., shortly after speaking at the annual gala for the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR.
At the time of his arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed that Hamdi's visa had been revoked by the State Department, alleging his support for Hamas-led attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. However, Hamdi later clarified that his remarks were intended to contextualize the violence as a consequence of the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians, insisting he did nothing illegal during his stay in the U.S.
His detention is seen within a larger framework of the previous Trump administration's measures to locate and potentially expel foreign nationals accused of inciting unrest or supporting protests against Israeli military actions in Gaza. These enforcement operations have encountered criticism from civil rights advocates as infringements on First Amendment rights, affirming that freedom of speech protections extend beyond U.S. citizens.
Now 35 years old, Hamdi expressed mixed feelings about initiating a lawsuit against American authorities, acknowledging the presence of more rational perspectives within the State Department and the judiciary during his ordeal. 'In respect of those cooler minds, I would rather celebrate,' he remarked, feeling victorious over the attempt to suppress his expressions.
Further, he affirmed that his departure was devoid of conditions, leaving the possibility open for applying for another U.S. visa in the future.
Just days after he indicated that his departure from the U.S. was voluntary, Hamdi praised federal judges for exonerating him and characterized his detention as a flawed action spearheaded by 'extremists' within the U.S. government. He stated, 'This wasn’t just an attack on me, it was an attack on the freedoms of ordinary Americans and citizens worldwide,' while addressing supporters upon his return near London’s Heathrow Airport.
Hamdi, who identifies as a Muslim, was initially detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 26 while on a speaking tour in the U.S., shortly after speaking at the annual gala for the Sacramento chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, CAIR.
At the time of his arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security claimed that Hamdi's visa had been revoked by the State Department, alleging his support for Hamas-led attacks on Israel that occurred on October 7, 2023. However, Hamdi later clarified that his remarks were intended to contextualize the violence as a consequence of the ongoing oppression faced by Palestinians, insisting he did nothing illegal during his stay in the U.S.
His detention is seen within a larger framework of the previous Trump administration's measures to locate and potentially expel foreign nationals accused of inciting unrest or supporting protests against Israeli military actions in Gaza. These enforcement operations have encountered criticism from civil rights advocates as infringements on First Amendment rights, affirming that freedom of speech protections extend beyond U.S. citizens.
Now 35 years old, Hamdi expressed mixed feelings about initiating a lawsuit against American authorities, acknowledging the presence of more rational perspectives within the State Department and the judiciary during his ordeal. 'In respect of those cooler minds, I would rather celebrate,' he remarked, feeling victorious over the attempt to suppress his expressions.
Further, he affirmed that his departure was devoid of conditions, leaving the possibility open for applying for another U.S. visa in the future.
