US Representative Sue Myrick (NC-09) today sent a letter to the US Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security asking the agencies to deny the visa application for Anjem Choudary, an outspoken, anti-American cleric, and the applications of his associates.
Choudary has publically stated that he will enter the United States in the coming weeks and go to the White House on March 3 to hold " a rally, a call for the Sharia, a call for the Muslims to rise up and establish the Islamic state in America." Additonally, his associate Abu Izzadeen, who also plans to attend the "rally" has served three and a half years in a British jail for charges related to terrorism fund-raising.
"Anyone convicted of a terrorism charge should not be allowed to step foot on American soil," Myrick wrote in the letter.
The Honorable Hillary Clinton
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
Washington, DC 20528
The Honorable Janet Ann Napolitano
Secretary of Homeland Security
U.S. Department on Homeland Security
Washington D.C. 20520
Dear Secretary Clinton and Secretary Napolitano,
The British extremist Cleric Anjem Choudary has publically stated the he plans to go to the White House and hold "...a rally, a call for the Sharia, a call for the Muslims to rise up and establish the Islamic state in America."
This is the man who burned an American flag outside the American Embassy in London on September 11, 2010. He continually makes anti-American and extremist statements. In fact, he is so radical that British authorities banned his group, Islam4UK. Moreover, his associate Abu Izzadeen, who plans to join Choudary at his :rally" was convicted on charges of terrorist fund-raising and inciting terrorism and served three-and-a-half years in British jail.
Anyone convicted of terrorism charge should not be allowed to step foot on American soil.
If Anjem Choudary attempts to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program, I urge you to deny his authorization for travel when he fills out the application on the Department of Homeland Security's Electronic System for Travel Authorization. I urge you to deny that visa. I also urge you to clock his British extremist associates, Abu Izzadeen and Sayful Islam, from obtaining visas.
Due to time-sensitive nature of this important issue, I ask that you expedite your responses to my requests.
Sincerely,
Sue Myrick
Member of Congress