Mutharika owes no allegiance to US, says American law expert
A Professor of Law and former Chief Counsel of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States of America Department of Homeland Security, Stephen Legomsky says the Malawi’s opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) president Peter Mutharika does not owe allegiance to USA.
There has been a heating debate in the country that Mutharika would have his presidential candidature challenged in the fourth coming elections based on his holding of US Green Card but Legomsky who is currently a Professor at the Washington University of Law shares a contrary view.
“Since 1971 Mutharika has been an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence in the United States. To document that status, the United States government issues an alien registration-receipt known as green card. This status entitles Mutharika to reside and work in the US. It does not obligate him to naturalize at any time,” Legomsky is quoted by Daily Times newspaper on Friday January 24th, 2014.
He further described alien as a person who is not a citizen of US.
“Under section 101 (a) (21) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 USC and 1101a (21) only a ‘national’ owes allegiance to a state. Section 101 (a) (3) in turn defines ‘alien’ to mean a person who is not a citizen or national of the United States” he said.
Legomsky who holds PhD in Immigration Law and author of several Law books served as Chief Counsel of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the United States of America Department of Homeland Security between 2011 and 2013.
Mutharika has maintained that he is not a US citizenry and has accused those making such claims as witch hunting.
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