<
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/26/ice-detains-british-muslim-journalist-laura-loomer>
"The British journalist Sami Hamdi was reportedly detained on Sunday morning by
federal immigration authorities at San Francisco international airport, and the
Council on American-Islamic Relations (Cair) says that action is apparent
retaliation for the Muslim political commentator’s criticism of Israel while
touring the US.
A statement from Cair said it was “a blatant affront to free speech” to detain
Hamdi for criticizing Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza while he
engaged on a speaking tour in the US. A Trump administration official added in
a separate statement that Hamdi was facing deportation.
“Our attorneys and partners are working to address this injustice,” Cair’s
statement said. The statement also called on US Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) “to immediately account for and release Mr Hamdi”, saying his
only “‘crime’ is criticizing a foreign government” that Cair accused of having
“committed genocide”.
The press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin,
wrote of Hamdi in a social media post: “This individual’s visa was revoked, and
he is in ICE custody pending removal.”
McLaughlin’s post also said: “Those who support terrorism and undermine
American national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country.”
During his tour, Hamdi spoke on Saturday at the annual gala for Cair’s chapter
in Sacramento. He was expected to speak on Sunday at the gala for the Florida
chapter of Cair.
In London at an event in 2023 following Hamas’s 7 October attack on Israel that
targeted mostly civilians, Hamdi called on the audience to “celebrate the
victory”. He has denied antisemitism and in a speech in 2024 in Canada he
said:“No one is saying October 7 was right.” He has appeared as a commentator
on news channel Sky News and other outlets.
screengrab of a woman and a teenage girl speaking on video call
McLaughlin’s post about Hamdi’s detention was shared by the Trump
administration ally Laura Loomer, who took credit for his being taken into
custody.
Loomer, who has called herself a “white advocate” and a “proud Islamophobe”,
has often peddled conspiracy theories such as endorsing claims that the
September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001 were an “inside job”."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
