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FEC Bureaucrats Declare That Foreign Born US Citizens Can Run For US President
Guyana-born naturalized American citizen fits the Federal Elections Commission's requirements to run for president, the FEC announced in a ruling.The case involves New York lawyer Abdul Hassan, who was born in the South American country in 1974. Hassan argues it is discriminatory to not allow him to run for office. Hassan, meanwhile, petitioned the FEC to allow him to run for president, arguing the Federal Election Campaign Act does not bar naturalized citizens from running. In its official response earlier this month, the FEC agreed with Hassan's logic. The FECs ruling, which did not receive any news media attention, concluded that a naturalized citizen is not prohibited by the Federal Election Campaign Act from becoming a "candidate" as defined under the act. However, a naturalized citizen is not eligible to receive federal matching funds under the FEC's Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account Act. Stated the FEC ruling: "In regard to the definition of 'person,' the act defines that term as including 'an individual, partnership, committee, association, corporation, labor organization, or any other organization or group of persons,' excluding the federal government. There is no reference to natural born or naturalized citizens. As an individual, Mr. Hassan is a 'person' under the Act. While the FEC's own rules now allow Hassan to run for high office, the attorney must still clear judicial hurdles before his eligibility could become official. In his legal argument, Hassan contended the constitutional eligibility clause discriminates against naturalized citizens. He cites Supreme Court rulings that interpret the Constitution as providing "equal protection" to naturalized citizens. Other rulings cited by Hassan guarantee against the discrimination of naturalized citizens. "The natural born requirement, that was adapted in the 1780s at a time when slavery was also a part of the constitution," Hassan told Klein. Hassan added the eligibility requirement should be reinterpreted in a way that would allow naturalized citizens to run for president. Posted by: Anonymoose 2011-09-27 |
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