Right-wing blog falsely claims alleged NYC bomber naturalized under Obama's “open door policy”

Written by Kate Conway

Published

Right-wing blog RightPundits falsely claimed that Faisal Shahzad, arrested as a suspect in the failed attempt to bomb Times Square, was “recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen under the Obama administration's lenient open door policy.” In fact, Shahzad reportedly received his student and work visas under previous administrations and was naturalized after marrying an American citizen.

RightPundits falsely claims Shahzad naturalized “under the Obama administration's lenient open door policy”

RightPundits: Shahzad was naturalized “under the Obama administration's lenient open door policy.” In a May 4 post, the right-wing blog RightPundits stated:

An Islamic terrorist named Faisal Shahzad is the Time Square bomber according to media reports. He is Muslim of Pakistani heritage with dual citizenship in the United States, recently naturalized as a U.S. citizen under the Obama administration's lenient open door policy. We are still attempting to confirm his registration status as a Democrat.

Shahzad reportedly naturalized after marrying an American citizen and received visas under previous administrations

Shahzad reportedly naturalized after his marriage to an American citizen. A May 4 New York Times article reported that Shahzad became an American citizen on April 17, 2009, after marrying American citizen Huma Mian. CBS News and the Associated Press reported that, according to officials, Shahzad “passed all the criminal and national security background checks required for citizenship.”

Shahzad reportedly granted visas under previous administrations. The New York Times article reported that Shahzad originally entered the United States on an F-1 student visa in 1999, during the Clinton administration. In 2002, prior to the expiration of his student visa, Shahzad obtained an H1-B work visa, and in 2006 -- during George W. Bush's presidency -- he was granted a green card.

RightPundits baselessly claims Shahzad “may be an Obama donor”

RightPundits: Shahzad “may be an Obama donor.” In an earlier version of the May 4 post, RightPundits stated that Shahzad is “a registered Democrat in the state of Connecticut who may be an Obama donor.” Nowhere in the post, however, does the blog provide any evidence that Shahzad donated money to Obama.

No record of any donations from Shahzad. A search for “Shahzad, Faisal” in the Center for Responsive Politics' Donor Lookup and the Federal Election Commission database reveals no donations by Shahzad in any election cycle.