Washington, D.C. (May 10, 2010) – In the aftermath of the arrest of a naturalized American citizen accused of terrorism-related crimes, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut has been joined by Representative Jason Altmire (D-PA-04) in planning to introduce legislation Terrorist Expatriation Act.
This legislation would, in effect, terminate the citizenship of foreign-born Americans convicted of collaboration with “terrorist” organizations, as well as those who serve in foreign military forces. The exception to this proposed legislation is for American citizens who serve in the Israel Defense Force.
This bill, which has already been criticized by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) and a host of Constitutional experts, is scheduled was introduced in a May 6, press conference.
MAS Freedom joins with other civil rights and civil liberties advocacy organizations in opposing any attempt to limit or deny the rights of American citizens before the bar of justice, including those accused of the serious crime of terrorism-related offenses.
Imam Mahdi Bray, Executive Director of MAS Freedom, called the proposed legislation “an obvious over reaction to an incident involving a naturalized American citizen born in Pakistan, and one that clearly plays on xenophobic fear. What Senator Lieberman wants do is rewrite the 14th amendment of the Constitution, it’s un-American.”
Bray went on to explain that MAS Freedom “calls for the engagement of Muslims with our Center for Civic Engagement, and the mobilization of Muslim voters to oppose this type of knee-jerk reaction to an alleged crime. We call on Muslims and others who value the integrity of the United States Constitution and our civil laws to stop any attempt to truncate the rights of any citizens, even those who are accused of horrendous and violent offenses.”
For specific ways in which you and your community can help support the integrity of our legal system and the protection of the rights of all citizens, please contact the Human and Civil Right Division of MAS Freedom at 1-888-627-8471, or contact us by email at: [email protected].
