Terrorists: When can we strip them of US citizenship?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 21:48:57 -0400

At what point does an American reach the point where the US Government should be able to strip them of their citizenship? I know it is a touchy subject legally as well as it should as it is a slippery slope. If you start saying it is when people rise against the government then is all those who protested the Vietnam or OIF wars subject to be stripped? How about if you run away from the US to avoid the draft? Is it when they start to incite others to strike against the US such as Anwar al-Aulaqi? Or is it when they donate money to a terrorist organization? Or is it only when they themselves pick up arms against the US? Even then is it only when supported by witnesses as we saw in the John Walker Lindh he apparently did not have enough witnesses of the exact act.

As you can see it can be very complicated. What are your thoughts?

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 22 at 2014 10:00 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 22:00:14 -0400

The moment they perform a terrorist act and donating money to a terrorist organization is a terrorist act.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 19 at 2015 10:12 PM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:12:57 -0500

We don't. Treat them as criminals.
If all they do is speak out, 1st Amendment.
If they act out, put them in prison based on the crimes they commit.

Personally, I'm tired of giving criminals the credit for committing and act of "terror". It somehow makes them "special", which I find offensive. Same with "Hate Crimes".
Why is murder more offensive because of hate or ideology?
Why is any crime more offensive for that reason?
-end rant-

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2015 11:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Jan 2015 23:07:06 -0500

For those who are born in the U.S., I think it that Article III of the Constitution could potentially place a suspect on a military tribunal (and that's the easy route) but terrorists aren't exactly agents of a recognized state (so it complicates things). There was a Terrorist Expatriation Act proposed by Senator Joe Lieberman (D-CT) in 2010 to ensure ease in prosecuting suspects after being stripped of citizenship but the bill was killed that same year.

For Naturalized citizens on the other hand; from my understanding, it's a complicated process but according to the Immigration Naturalization Act (INA) of 1952 and Title 8 of the U.S. Code; here are some grounds that are in place already (law):

1. Falsification or Concealment of Relevant Facts (Affiliation, war crimes, etc.)
2. Refusal to Testify Before Congress.
3. Membership in Subversive Groups.
4. Dishonorable Military Discharge (before the 5th year of joining the Military)

Response by SFC Richard Giles made Jul 13 at 2016 12:25 AM

SFC Richard Giles — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 00:25:10 -0400

If they are proving to be Terrorists and are living in the United States and they commit an act against the United States they should be shot. Stripping them of their citizenship is going to accomplish nothing other then getting them out of the states. That's the problem with this country, we've grown soft and try to coddle people too much. We need to be tough again, stop taking BS from all these...... Well you get my point.