Washington D.C. – Sami Hamdi, a British commentator of Tunisian descent, is slated for release from US immigration custody, his family announced Monday. Hamdi’s detention occurred two weeks prior, interrupting a speaking tour across the United States.
“The government has agreed to release Sami, and he will be able to return home soon,” the family stated, promising further details would be released later. The family has not yet disclosed the specific date of his release.
When contacted for comment, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Hamdi was initially detained for being “unlawfully present in the country.” Hamdi is known for his pro-Palestinian stance.
Homeland Security officials detained Hamdi and revoked his visa on October 24th. At the time, they asserted he would be deported and prevented from completing his speaking engagements.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, had previously stated that the administration under President Trump would not allow “those who support terrorism and undermine American national security” to operate or visit the country.
Prior to his detention, Hamdi spoke at a Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) event in California and was scheduled to speak at another CAIR event in Florida. CAIR and Hamdi’s wife reported that authorities detained him at San Francisco International Airport.
CAIR stated Monday that Hamdi chose to accept an offer to voluntarily depart the United States. They added the charges against him stemmed from a visa overstay after his visa was revoked “without cause or prior notice.”
CAIR official Hussam Ayloush emphasized that “Sami’s case demonstrates how quickly government officials are willing to sacrifice the First Amendment and freedom of the press when a journalist uses his platform to speak about America before Israel.”
DZWatch will continue to follow this developing story.
