The California chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-CA) today announced that its legal team, along with attorneys from the Muslim Legal Fund of America and The HMA Law Firm, will be representing British Muslim journalist and political commentator Sami Hamdi.
Hamdi was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) yesterday, Oct. 26, in an apparent response to his criticism of Israel’s genocide in Gaza, and at the urging of anti-Muslim, pro-Israel extremists.
SEE: ICE detains British journalist after criticism of Israel on US tour
Hamdi was detained by immigration officials at the San Francisco International Airport while on a speaking tour in the U.S., which he has done many times in the past. The night prior to his detention, he spoke at CAIR Sacramento’s annual gala and was traveling to speak at CAIR Florida’s gala.
Notorious anti-Muslim extremist Laura Loomer has publicly taken credit for his abduction, claiming that ICE acted in response to her demands and smearing Hamdi with various anti-Muslim conspiracy theories.
In a statement, CAIR-CA CEO Hussam Ayloush said:
“This past Saturday, I had the privilege to join Sami Hamdi at CAIR Sacramento’s annual gala, where he, as always, spoke with moral clarity and courage. I was shocked to be contacted by him early Sunday morning to inform me that he was being detained by immigration officials, and that his visa was being revoked—seemingly for no reason other than pressure from extremist, anti-Muslim, and pro-Israel voices seeking to silence him.
“Sami has been a strong and outspoken voice against Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and the dehumanization of the Palestinian people. It is clear that his unjust detention is nothing less than an attempt to undermine our Constitution and punish journalists for speaking the truth in order to shield Israel from accountability for its laundry list of war crimes and human rights violations.
“Our legal team is working towards his immediate release and aiming to hold ICE accountable for bowing to the whims of Islamophobes and supporters of the Israeli government.”
SEE ALSO:
- U.S. Pauses Visitor Visas for Gazans After Laura Loomer Posts
- Trump administration halts visas for people from Gaza after Laura Loomer questions arrivals
CAIR-CA is urging the community to call on their members of Congress and demand that ICE release Hamdi and that immigration officials make decisions about visitor and immigration visas based on facts, not bigoted conspiracy theories.
CAIR-CA is a chapter of CAIR, America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com; CAIR Sacramento Valley/Central California Communications Director Zaid Hisham, (916) 441-6269, zhisham@cair.com; CAIR San Diego Executive Director Tazheen Nizam, (760) 201-7626, tnizam@cair.com; CAIR San Francisco Bay Area Communications Manager Lorrie Adam, (408) 498-5779, ladam@cair.com