The immigration situation surrounding New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani is gaining attention as two House Republicans are urging the Justice Department to examine his citizenship status. They may be contemplating his removal from the United States, particularly if he wins the election.
Rep. Randy Fine from Florida recently asked federal officials to “review every naturalization over the past 30 years, starting with Mamdani.” He emphasized the need to scrutinize how individuals obtained citizenship, stating that if any fraud or violations are found, denaturalization and deportation should follow.
Fine indicated that Mamdani represents a potential threat, expressing concerns over individuals who might have entered the country with harmful intentions. He dismissed worries about taking citizenship away from those who have achieved significant political positions, asserting, “If they’re not American, they can’t be president.”
Mamdani, a democratic socialist who immigrated from Uganda as a child, became a U.S. citizen. Since June, Rep. Andy Ogles from Tennessee has been advocating for an investigation into Mamdani, alleging that he lied during his naturalization in 2018.
Ogles has been vocal, even stating, “Deport Mamdani!” He characterized Mamdani as an “anti-Semite, socialist, and communist” who threatens New York City. Ogles claimed that Mamdani failed to disclose certain associations, including ties to a communist organization, which he believes would have disqualified him from U.S. citizenship.
He also mentioned Mamdani’s demands for the release of the Holy Land Five, a group found guilty in 2008 of supporting Hamas through a large Islamic charity. U.S. law expressly prohibits individuals linked to communist or totalitarian political parties from obtaining citizenship, and applicants must disclose any associations with such entities. Former President Trump called Mamdani a “communist lunatic,” a label Mamdani rejects.
The Department of Justice has received Ogles’ request but has yet to make any public statements on taking action. Meanwhile, Rep. Shri Thanedar from Michigan has urged censure against Ogles for his remarks.
While the Justice Department has not confirmed whether it will investigate Mamdani, a spokesperson remarked, “The Democratic shutdown has delayed Congressional response,” adding that they typically do not comment on ongoing or potential investigations.
Recently, Mamdani faced backlash for a lighthearted photo with an imam who was previously named as a co-conspirator in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Mamdani has not provided any comments regarding the ongoing situation.
