Following reports that Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka faces a jail term should he destroy his green card, Immigration Attorneys in the United States have disclosed that the US government will not bring any civil or criminal charges against him if he eventually destroys his American green card as openly threatened.

The Immigration Lawyers, Isaac Falusi and Samuel Adewusi stated that the threat carried out by the professor are inconsequential in the US, adding that Soyinka will still be able to visit the United States at any time he desires even after destroying his green card before the public glare.

Mr. Falusi, an expert in immigration and international trade law, said “Destroying a green card is an expression of free speech which no one will ever be penalised for in America because being a resident in America is a voluntary thing. The government gave him the green card because he was qualified when he applied for it.”

The lawyer said the U.S. Homeland Security, which handles such documents, may not even be aware of the controversy and even if it were, it still won’t mean an action will be taken noting that Mr Soyinka would still be able to obtain another green card because he is already registered as an American resident.

Professor Soyinka replied his critics in a 4,000-word essay on Saturday, describing them as noisome creatures and nattering nitwits. He, however, reassured that he will still go ahead as planned, but only on his own terms.

Chairman of the Board of Trustee of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation in the Americas, Mr Adewusi noted that it takes more than shredding to destroy ones residency card. He said “in order to destroy your green card you have to go to a consulate near you, especially if you’re outside the United States. At the consulate, you must request for and fill a document called Form I-407. It is a long process but only after you complete it before you could boldly say that you have destroyed your access to enter America.”

Mr Adewusi reiterated that Soyinka’s action is strictly an exercise of his free speech. He said “It’s more of a free speech the same way people burn flags and their passports. No one will penalise him for anything.”