British journalist detained by ICE at San Francisco airport
SAN FRANCISCO (NBC, KYMA) - A British journalist, who has been critical of Israel's policies in the Middle East, was detained by ICE agents at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) Sunday morning.
A spokesperson for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) says British journalist Sami Hamdi was going to speak at the organization's event in Florida, but he was detained as he prepared to board United Flight 1954 at SFO, bound for Tampa.
"He was traveling domestically, and he was abducted at San Francisco International Airport and remains in government custody right now," said Zahra Billoo with CAIR.
Hamdi is the managing director of the International Interest, a geopolitical consulting and advisory publication.
CAIR says he had a valid visa.
In June, the council protested at SFO after Palestinians, who also had legal visas, were detained at the airport ahead of speaking engagements at inter-faith events.
"What we've seen is complete lawlessness in how ICE agents are targeting our friends and neighbors. They are very often approached by masked individuals without an explanation or even a signed judicial warrant and they are very quickly disappeared," Billoo expressed.
CAIR says that's the case with Hamdi.
Airport police told an NBC affiliate in San Francisco they were unaware of any ICE detainments at SFO, but on X, a spokesperson for Homeland Security posted about Hamdi saying, "This individual's visa was revoked and he's in ICE custody pending removal."
She went on to say, "Those who support terrorism and undermine american national security will not be allowed to work or visit this country."
Legal analyst Steven Clark about the recent ICE activity at SFO, especially in this case as it applies to an outspoken journalist.
"We are now broadening that scope of what their responsibilities are to going after people because of what they say," Clark shared. "Mr. Hamdi's detention under these circumstances sends a very chilling to both freedom of speech as well as freedom of the press."
Laura Loomer, an ally of President Donald Trump, posted on social media Sunday, taking credit for Hamdi's detention, saying it was a result of her "relentless pressure."
