The father of an Alabama college student who left the US to join the Islamic State (IS) group is suing the government over her right to return.
Ahmed Ali Muthana filed the lawsuit Thursday, accusing the Trump administration of an “unlawful attempt” to revoke Hoda Muthana's citizenship.
Ms Muthana has said she is willing to face federal charges upon her return.
But President Donald Trump has ordered officials to bar the former IS propagandist from entering the US.
Ms Muthana, now 24, grew up in Alabama and travelled to Syria to join IS when she was 20, withdrawing from college and using her tuition money to purchase a ticket to Turkey without her family's knowledge.
She now has an 18-month-old son and is fighting for the right to re-enter the country with him.
The lawsuit emphasises that Mr Muthana is not arguing against any prosecution from the US government over Ms Muthana's actions in Syria, but wants lawful recognition of her US citizenship and the citizenship of her child.
Ms Muthana has “publicly acknowledged her actions and accepted full responsibility,” a statement announcing the lawsuit said.
“In Ms Muthana's words, she recognises that she has ‘ruined' her own life, but she does not want to ruin the life of her young child.”
Secretary of State Mike…
