STATEMENT REGARDING CASE FILING OF MUTHANA v. POMPEO, et. al
Today, the Constitutional Law Center for Muslims in America filed a Complaint on behalf of Ahmed Ali Muthana, father of Hoda Muthana and grandfather to her young son, seeking declaratory relief recognizing her U.S. citizenship, and injunctive relief requiring the United States to make good faith efforts to return her and her young son to the United States.
All parties involved, including Ms. Muthana, recognize that success in this lawsuit will likely result in Ms. Muthana’s prosecution on allegations of material support of terrorism for her actions while in Syria. Ms. Muthana has publicly acknowledged her actions and accepted full responsibility for those actions. In Ms. Muthana’s words, she recognizes that she has “ruined” her own life, but she does not want to ruin the life of her young child. Should the court agree with the Plaintiff, Ms. Muthana’s son will be recognized as an American citizen, and afforded the opportunity to grow up in the greatest country in the world. Accordingly, her father, on her behalf, files this civil suit not to defend her from criminal prosecution, but instead seeking recognition of her United States citizenship, which prior to her departure was not in dispute, and the citizenship of her young son.
The Center has taken Mr. Muthana as a client because of the important constitutional issues involved, which have wide-ranging impact far beyond Ms. Muthana and her son. Citizenship is a core right under the Constitution, and once recognized should not be able to be unilaterally revoked by tweet – no matter how egregious the intervening conduct may be.
