The American Spectator

I would like to see the proof, actual real proof, that Boris is still a U.S. citizen. You said it was “supposition” that Boris relinquished his passport in 2006. First, Boris was born in June 1964 — that would make him almost 44. Often the issue of dual citizenship is dealt with by or on the 18th birthday. In the case of Britain and the U.S., one can have citizenship is both countries. The U.S. has no problem with people being U.S. citizens as well as citizens of another country, However, there is a caveat: Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain acts voluntarily. Briefly stated, these acts include:

p>(a) obtaining naturalization in a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a)(1), INA); br> (b) taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration of allegiance to a foreign state or its political subdivisions (Sec. 349 (a)(2), INA); br> (c) entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a)(3), INA); br> (d) accepting employment with a foreign government if: (i) one has or acquires the nationality of that foreign state; or (ii) a declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position (Sec. 349 (a)(4), INA); br> (e) formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. consular officer outside the United States (Sec. 349 (a)(5), INA); br> (f) formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (but only in time of war) (Sec. 349 (a)(6), INA); br> (g) conviction for an act of treason (Sec. 349 (a)(7), INA). /p>

Boris was elected as MP in 2001. When he took office he had to swear an Oath of Allegiance to the Crown. A Parliamentary oath. Section (b), therefore, would come into play. Would have come into play. As soon as he swore allegiance to the crown.

Now, EVEN IF what you allege is true (which I highly doubt) the U.S. Constitution states anyone who runs for president (a U.S. citizen, of course) MUST have resided within the U.S. for 14 years prior. So, even if Boris came here today (which is pretty doubtful considering he just won the London mayoral position), the first time he would be eligible to run would be in 2022 — with the first election being in 2024.

But, it’s really a moot point — once he swore allegiance to the crown, it was done in that regard. Even IF, by some stretch of the imagination, Boris decided that was what he wanted to do, his tenure as MP would preclude that. Not to mention, the absurdity of people in the United States voting for someone for the highest office in the land who is American in name only. Which, I doubt he still is, or will be.

p>I’m not usually moved to write the author of an article, but in this case I felt I had to. In this instance, personal knowledge of Boris is immaterial. “I say Johnson will be a salubrious force because I have known him since his tenure as editor of The Spectator .” The facts, however, are. You are doing no one any favors, or even bringing up valid issues, when your whole piece is based upon wild speculation without taking the facts into consideration.