Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles is calling on the U.S. Attorney General to denaturalize and deport New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, a move that has drawn sharp backlash and reignited national debate over free speech, race, and political dissent.
In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles alleged that Mamdani, a Democrat and naturalized citizen, misrepresented himself during his citizenship process—charges Mamdani’s supporters call politically motivated and rooted in racial and religious bias.
Mamdani, born in Uganda to Indian parents, immigrated to the U.S. at age seven and became a citizen in 2018. He is a Shia Muslim and a sitting member of the New York State Assembly, now campaigning for mayor of New York City.
Ogles cites a past musical reference by Mamdani in support of the “Holy Land Five,” a group convicted in 2008 for allegedly funneling funds to Hamas through the now-defunct Holy Land Foundation. The convictions have been criticized by civil liberties advocates and remain controversial.
Ogles argues that Mamdani’s reference—along with his refusal to publicly denounce the pro-Palestinian phrase “globalize the intifada”—warrants a federal investigation into whether he concealed any affiliations or sympathies that should have been disclosed during naturalization.
“If someone glorifies individuals convicted of financing terrorism, federal authorities should investigate whether they omitted affiliations or advocacy efforts that are disqualifying under immigration law,” Ogles wrote.
Critics say the congressman’s actions amount to political persecution, rooted more in Mamdani’s vocal support for Palestinian rights than any legitimate security concern. Ogles has faced particular criticism for referring to Mamdani as “little Mohammad” on social media—language that Muslim-American groups and civil rights organizations have condemned as racist and Islamophobic.
Despite repeated accusations of antisemitism, Mamdani has publicly denounced hatred toward Jewish communities and received support from Jewish constituents and advocacy groups. His political stance has centered on economic justice and housing, though the Israel-Palestine conflict has taken center stage in the mayoral race.
Ogles has characterized Mamdani’s activism as dangerous, while Mamdani has insisted that his critiques are directed at government policy—not religious or ethnic identity.
“I stand firmly for peace, dignity, and human rights for all people,” Mamdani has said in previous statements. “This attempt to discredit me and erase my citizenship is an attack not just on me, but on the values of democracy and dissent.”
The controversy comes amid rising tensions over U.S. policy in the Middle East and intensifying scrutiny of American politicians who express pro-Palestinian views. The phrase “intifada,” Arabic for “uprising,” is seen by critics as inflammatory, but by others as a legitimate call to resist occupation. Debates over its use reflect broader disagreements over the boundaries of acceptable political speech.
While Mamdani has attempted to keep his campaign focused on affordable housing, public services, and working-class issues, his stance on Israel-Palestine continues to draw outsized attention.
Mamdani is the son of internationally respected scholar Mahmood Mamdani and award-winning filmmaker Mira Nair. His supporters say the congressman’s call for deportation is an authoritarian overreach that could set a chilling precedent for targeting naturalized citizens over their political beliefs.
