Print

Mail

wiki links

Hsieh camp presses Ma on US green card issue

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Frank Hsieh's (謝長廷) camp yesterday urged his Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) rival, Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), to cooperate with the Central Election Commission (CEC) to shed light on his green card status.

Hsieh's campaign spokesman, Hsu Kuo-yong (徐國勇), said Ma had claimed he had forfeited his green card some 20 years ago, but has never provided any proof to substantiate his claim.

"Such a shameless act encroaches on the public's right to know," he said.

Hsu, quoting a Central News Agency (CNA) interview with an official at the American Institute in Taiwan on Jan. 31, said that green card applicants obtain a card number starting with the letter A.

The number is permanent and becomes the applicant's green card number if the application is approved. It later becomes the naturalization number, the report said.

Green card holders' permanent residency status may be revoked by the immigration court if they are found in violation of the immigration code, the report said.

Hsu said there were two ways to relinquish a green card: One is the cardholder files an I-407 form, and the other is the immigration court invalidates the card.

Ma has said he did not file an I-407 form, Hsu said, and the US immigration court apparently has not invalidated Ma's green card.

"We would like to know what Ma is afraid of," Hsu said. "A national leader's loyalty should be under public scrutiny."

Society would be forced to pay a price if Ma continues to boycott the CEC's attempts to look into the bottom of the matter, Hsu said, adding that Ma's behavior could result in election disputes later.

Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴), a Hsieh camp spokesperson, claimed Ma has five different English names and that he and his camp have been inconsistent in their response to their questions.

Hsiao urged Ma to abide by the law and cooperate with the CEC investigation.
This story has been viewed 2401 times.