Republicans Urge Trump to Revoke Zohran Mamdani’s Citizenship

Key Takeaways

• Right-wing groups urge Trump to revoke Zohran Mamdani’s U.S. citizenship after June 2025 mayoral primary win.
• No legal action taken; citizenship revocation requires fraud or treason, not political views or speech.
• Experts warn revocation calls set dangerous precedent and threaten immigrant political participation in the U.S.

A Political Firestorm: Calls to Revoke Zohran Mamdani’s U.S. Citizenship

Who, What, When, Where, and Why

In a dramatic turn following the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, a wave of right-wing groups and Republican leaders have called on President Donald Trump to revoke the U.S. citizenship of Zohran Mamdani, the newly nominated Democratic candidate for mayor. This push began immediately after Mamdani’s surprise victory over former Governor Andrew Cuomo in June 2025 and has quickly become a major talking point among conservative media and MAGA-aligned activists.

As of June 26, 2025, no official action has been taken by the Trump administration. However, the demand to strip Mamdani of his citizenship and deport him has gained momentum, with some Republican lawmakers echoing the call in public statements and on social media. The controversy centers on Mamdani’s outspoken criticism of U.S. policy toward Israel, his support for Palestinian rights, and his progressive platform, which have drawn sharp criticism from conservative circles.

Current Status: No Legal Action, High Legal Bar

Despite the heated rhetoric, no official revocation or deportation proceedings have been started against Zohran Mamdani. Under the U.S. Constitution and federal law, revoking citizenship—especially for naturalized citizens like Mamdani—is extremely rare and only possible under very specific circumstances. These include proven fraud or misrepresentation during the naturalization process, or certain acts of treason or terrorism. None of these have been alleged or proven in Mamdani’s case.

There have been no recent policy changes that would allow the president or executive branch to revoke citizenship on political grounds. The law remains clear: citizenship cannot be taken away simply because of someone’s political views or public statements.

Key Stakeholders and Their Positions

• Zohran Mamdani: At 33, Mamdani is a Ugandan-born, Indian-American progressive who became a U.S. citizen in 2018. He has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He is known for his strong opposition to Donald Trump and his advocacy for immigrant and minority rights. Mamdani’s platform includes free public transit, rent freezes, higher taxes on the wealthy, and vocal support for Palestinian rights.
• President Donald Trump: While President Trump has not made a direct public statement about the calls to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship, his allies and surrogates have amplified the demand. They have labeled Mamdani “un-American” due to his criticism of U.S. foreign policy and his socialist views.
• Republican Lawmakers and Right-Wing Groups: Several high-profile MAGA-aligned organizations and Republican politicians have issued statements or social media posts demanding action against Mamdani. They argue that his positions on Palestine and criticism of U.S. foreign policy are grounds for investigation or removal.
• Democratic Leaders and Progressive Allies: Figures such as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Bernie Sanders, both of whom endorsed Mamdani, have condemned the calls as “authoritarian” and “anti-democratic.” They warn that such actions would set a dangerous precedent for democracy and immigrant rights.

Background: Who Is Zohran Mamdani?

Zohran Mamdani’s story is one of immigration and political activism. Born in Uganda to renowned scholar Mahmood Mamdani and filmmaker Mira Nair, he immigrated to the United States 🇺🇸 as a child. Mamdani became a U.S. citizen in 2018 and quickly rose to prominence as a progressive state assemblyman in Queens, New York. His victory in the June 2025 Democratic mayoral primary over Andrew Cuomo shocked many political observers and energized progressive voters.

Mamdani’s platform is rooted in social justice and immigrant rights. He has called for free public transit, rent freezes, and higher taxes on the wealthy. His strong support for Palestinian rights and criticism of U.S. policy toward Israel have made him a target for conservative groups and Trump allies.

Why Are Republicans Targeting Mamdani’s U.S. Citizenship?

The demand to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship is unprecedented in modern U.S. politics. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this move is widely seen as a reaction to Mamdani’s progressive stances and immigrant background. Conservative groups argue that his criticism of U.S. allies and support for Palestinian causes are “un-American” and warrant investigation.

However, legal experts and civil rights organizations are nearly unanimous in their view that these calls have no legal basis. The U.S. Supreme Court has repeatedly affirmed that citizenship cannot be revoked for political beliefs or speech. The landmark case Afroyim v. Rusk (1967) established that the government cannot involuntarily strip citizenship except in very narrow circumstances, such as proven fraud during the naturalization process or acts of treason.

Legal Barriers: Why Revoking Citizenship Is Nearly Impossible

Revoking U.S. citizenship is one of the most serious actions the government can take against an individual. The law sets a very high bar for denaturalization, especially for naturalized citizens like Mamdani. Here’s what the law says:

• Fraud or Misrepresentation: The government must prove that the person lied or hid important facts during the naturalization process.
• Treason or Terrorism: Only in rare cases involving acts against the United States 🇺🇸 can citizenship be revoked.
• No Political Grounds: Political speech, beliefs, or criticism of government policy are not valid reasons for revocation.

The process for denaturalization is also complex and heavily weighted in favor of the citizen:

1. Investigation: The Department of Justice must investigate and find clear evidence of fraud or misrepresentation.
2. Legal Proceedings: The government must file a civil denaturalization lawsuit in federal court. The person has the right to defend themselves.
3. Judicial Review: Only a federal judge can order denaturalization, and the burden of proof is extremely high.
4. Appeals: Any decision can be appealed, often all the way to the Supreme Court.

For more information on citizenship law and denaturalization procedures, readers can visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) official page on citizenship.

Political and Social Implications

The campaign against Mamdani is part of a larger trend of attacks on progressive and immigrant politicians, especially those critical of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. Experts warn that even unsuccessful attempts to target political opponents’ citizenship could have a chilling effect on immigrant participation in politics and public life.

• Chilling Effect: Immigrants may feel less safe running for office or speaking out on controversial issues if they fear their citizenship could be questioned.
• Dangerous Precedent: If the government were to act on these calls, it would set a precedent that could be used against other political opponents in the future.
• Political Stunt: Many political analysts see the campaign as a way to energize President Trump’s base and distract from substantive policy debates.

Multiple Perspectives: How Different Groups See the Issue

• Republican/MAGA View: Supporters argue that Mamdani’s criticism of U.S. allies and support for Palestinian causes are “un-American” and should be investigated. They believe strong action is needed to protect national interests.
• Democratic/Progressive View: Opponents see the calls as an attack on democracy and immigrant rights. They warn that targeting someone’s citizenship for their political views is authoritarian and undermines the foundations of American democracy.
• Legal Community: Legal scholars and civil rights groups are nearly unanimous in dismissing the legal viability of such a move. They point out that the Supreme Court has made it clear that citizenship cannot be revoked for political speech.

Civil Rights and Legal Expert Reactions

Civil rights organizations such as the ACLU and NAACP have condemned the calls to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship as “xenophobic” and “dangerous.” They warn that such actions undermine the rule of law and democratic norms. Legal experts stress that the Constitution protects political speech and that any attempt to strip citizenship for political reasons would be struck down by the courts.

Step-by-Step: What Would Happen If Revocation Was Attempted?

If the Trump administration were to try to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship, the process would look like this:

1. Investigation: The Department of Justice would need to investigate Mamdani’s naturalization process for evidence of fraud or misrepresentation.
2. Filing a Lawsuit: If evidence was found, the government would file a civil denaturalization lawsuit in federal court.
3. Court Hearing: Mamdani would have the right to defend himself in court. The government would have to prove its case with clear and convincing evidence.
4. Judge’s Decision: Only a federal judge can order denaturalization. The standard of proof is very high.
5. Appeals Process: Any decision could be appealed through the federal court system, possibly reaching the Supreme Court.

Given the lack of any evidence of fraud or wrongdoing, legal experts agree that such a case would almost certainly fail.

Historical Context: Citizenship Revocation in the U.S.

Revoking citizenship is extremely rare in the United States 🇺🇸. Historically, denaturalization has only occurred in cases involving:

• War criminals who lied during the naturalization process
• Individuals who committed acts of treason or terrorism
• Proven cases of fraud or misrepresentation

Political beliefs, speech, or criticism of government policy have never been valid grounds for revoking citizenship. The Supreme Court’s decision in Afroyim v. Rusk made it clear that the government cannot take away citizenship for political reasons.

Summary Table: Key Facts

Future Outlook: What Happens Next?

• No Legal Path Forward: Unless credible evidence of fraud emerges, there is no legal way to revoke Mamdani’s citizenship based on his political views.
• Political Fallout: The controversy is likely to intensify the mayoral race and spark a national debate over immigration, citizenship, and free speech.
• Potential Escalation: If President Trump or his administration were to pursue formal action, it would trigger a major constitutional crisis and widespread legal challenges.

Practical Guidance for Immigrants and Political Activists

For immigrants and naturalized citizens, this episode is a reminder of the importance of knowing your rights. Citizenship in the United States 🇺🇸 is protected by the Constitution and cannot be taken away for political speech or beliefs. If you are concerned about your status or have questions about your rights, you can:

• Visit the USCIS official website for information on citizenship and denaturalization.
• Consult with an immigration attorney if you have specific concerns about your case.
• Stay informed about your rights and participate in civic life without fear.

Conclusion: A Test of American Democracy

The calls to revoke Zohran Mamdani’s U.S. citizenship have sparked a national debate about the limits of executive power, the meaning of citizenship, and the rights of immigrants in American democracy. While the legal barriers to such an action are extremely high, the political and social implications are far-reaching. As reported by VisaVerge.com, this controversy is less about legal reality and more about the ongoing struggle over who gets to belong and participate in the nation’s political life.

For now, Mamdani remains the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, and his citizenship is secure under the law. The episode serves as a powerful reminder of the protections built into the U.S. legal system—and the ongoing challenges faced by immigrants and political activists in a polarized era.

Learn Today

Denaturalization → Legal process of revoking citizenship, usually for fraud or treason, not political beliefs.
Naturalization → Process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen through legal requirements.
Afroyim v. Rusk → 1967 Supreme Court case affirming that citizenship can’t be revoked for political reasons.
Fraud → Deliberate deception during naturalization that can lead to revoking citizenship if proven.
Treason → Serious crime against the U.S. government, possible ground for citizenship revocation.

This Article in a Nutshell

After Zohran Mamdani’s shocking primary win, calls to revoke his U.S. citizenship have sparked a major political debate. Despite fierce opposition, legal barriers make revocation nearly impossible, protecting political speech and immigrant rights within American democracy’s constitutional framework.
— By VisaVerge.com