After weeks in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, British journalist Sami Hamdi is expected to be released, following growing pressure from human rights organizations and media watchdogs.

Hamdi, known for his outspoken criticism of Western foreign policy and Israel’s military actions in Gaza, had been detained upon arrival at Dulles International Airport in Virginia in October. US authorities claimed “irregularities” in his travel documentation, but critics accused the government of politically motivated targeting.

According to his legal team, Hamdi was held in an ICE facility without formal charges for nearly three weeks. Advocacy groups including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Human Rights Watch condemned the detention as a “direct attack on press freedom.”

“This was an outrageous violation of the principles the US claims to uphold,” said an RSF spokesperson. “No journalist should be punished for their opinions or reporting.”

Political and Diplomatic Pressure

The case quickly drew international attention. British officials reportedly made multiple inquiries to Washington through diplomatic channels, while UK lawmakers questioned why a British passport holder was being detained under immigration rules typically reserved for asylum seekers or undocumented migrants.

US officials have maintained that Hamdi’s case was “not related to his journalism,” though the lack of transparency around his detention sparked intense scrutiny. Anonymous sources told The Guardian that Hamdi’s questioning by federal officers had included references to his past commentary on Israel and the Biden administration’s Middle East policies.

Hamdi’s lawyer, Nadine Johnson, said the line of questioning “made it clear this was not about paperwork, it was about politics.”

“They asked him about tweets, interviews, and his editorial stance on the Gaza conflict. That’s not immigration enforcement, that’s intimidation,” Johnson said.

A Wider Debate on Press Freedom

Hamdi’s detention comes amid growing concern over the treatment of journalists critical of US allies. Media groups have cited his case alongside that of Julian Assange, warning of a broader erosion of press freedom and whistleblower protection in the West.

The US has long positioned itself as a defender of free speech, but critics argue recent actions undermine that stance.

“When you detain a journalist without charge for expressing dissenting views, you’re no longer leading on freedom — you’re performing it,” said Amnesty International’s US director Paul O’Brien.

Hamdi is expected to be released from custody later this week, with British consular officials coordinating his return to London. His legal team says he intends to challenge the legality of his detention and demand an official explanation from US authorities.

The Bigger Picture

The case may have broader implications for international journalists entering the United States. Civil liberties groups have called for congressional oversight into ICE’s authority to detain foreign media figures and a review of how “national security screening” can be used to silence critics.

As Hamdi prepares to return home, press freedom advocates warn that his ordeal could deter other journalists from critical reporting on US foreign policy.

“The message is clear,” one CPJ analyst told Axis Signal. “Speak against powerful nations, and your next flight could end in detention.”