Rep. Nancy Mace Proposes Ban on Foreign-Born Individuals from Congress

Rep. Nancy Mace from South Carolina is advocating for a constitutional amendment that would prevent foreign-born individuals from serving in Congress and the federal judiciary.

In an appearance on “Saturday in America,” Mace defended her proposed amendment and criticized several Congress members, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, a Democrat.

“If the president must be a natural-born citizen, then it stands to reason that both Congress members and judges should be as well. That’s essentially the aim of my bill,” Mace said during the interview.

Mace’s joint resolution asserts that all members of the House of Representatives, the Senate, the federal judiciary, and appointees confirmed by the Senate ought to be natural-born citizens.

Mace Targets Democrats with Proposed Ban

She specifically mentioned foreign-born lawmakers like Omar, stating that they might possess allegiances to other nations, even suggesting the retroactive removal of naturalized citizens from Congress.

“Look no further than Ilhan Omar or that other guy. I can’t quite say his last name, Shri. They have sworn allegiance to foreign countries,” Mace remarked, referring to Rep. Shri Thanedar from Michigan.

“I feel that they are influenced by these foreign loyalties, and we really want the country to be led by American patriots.”

Omar Responds to Mace’s Claims

When questioned about whether the bill would impact current Congress members, Mace indicated that it was acceptable for it to be applied retroactively. She argued that it should also address individuals currently serving who should not be there in the first place.

This proposal may affect various current members of Congress across the political spectrum. In her post on social media, Mace named three individuals: Omar, Thanedar, and Pramila Jayapal, all of whom were born abroad and not citizens by birth.

“Ilhan Omar, Shri Thanedar, Pramila Jayapal. They all weren’t born into citizenship. They all serve in Congress. And they seem to make it clear daily that their loyalties aren’t just to the U.S.,” Mace stated.

Controversy and Opposition

She expressed frustration about what she perceives as the detrimental impact of foreign-born members in government, emphasizing that her amendment aims to shift the focus back to putting America first.

Omar, when asked about Mace’s initiative, appeared unfazed, simply wishing her luck: “I wish her the best,” she said. Jayapal criticized the proposal, calling it “xenophobic” and “bigoted.” She emphasized that Mace should be focusing on improving conditions for those struggling with everyday expenses instead.

“This legislation outright denies America’s immigrant history, which has greatly contributed to our country,” Jayapal remarked, adding that it disrespects the voters who elected naturalized citizens to public office.

Next Steps for the Proposal

The proposed amendment would need to pass with a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress before being ratified by three-quarters of the states. Additionally, it could be considered through a constitutional convention if called by two-thirds of state legislatures, though that route has never succeeded.

Fox News Digital reached out to Omar’s office regarding Mace’s statements but didn’t receive an immediate response.