A British Voice Returns Home After U. S. Detention Drama

A well-known British commentator, Sami Hamdi, who speaks up for Palestinians, finally touched down in London after spending over two weeks in a U. S. detention center. His visa was suddenly canceled while he was in the middle of a speaking tour in the U. S. , where he had been openly critical of Israel's actions in Gaza. Hamdi, who runs a political risk consultancy and often appears on British TV, was detained at San Francisco International Airport. He claimed he had followed all visa rules and saw his detention as a direct hit on his right to speak freely about Gaza. Two federal judges agreed with him, finding that his freedom of speech had been seriously violated. The U. S. authorities said they canceled his visa for security reasons and that he was in the country illegally. However, Hamdi argued that the only issue was an overstay after his visa was revoked without any warning. Rights groups and press freedom advocates strongly condemned his detention, calling it an attack on free speech. Hamdi had been speaking at a gala for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in California and was supposed to appear at another event in Florida before his arrest. His case comes at a time when the U. S. has been cracking down on immigration, including revoking visas for those accused of supporting terrorism and deporting foreign nationals who have voiced support for Palestinians. Upon his return to London, Hamdi was greeted by his family and told reporters that his detention was not just about him but an attack on the freedoms of people everywhere to speak the truth. He emphasized the importance of standing up against hatred and defending free speech.