Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, is expected to return from his vacation in Uganda on Wednesday. However, his campaign is preparing for a potential confrontation at John F. Kennedy airport upon his arrival.
Mamdani’s campaign has been in contact with Governor Kathy Hochul’s office and Attorney General Letitia James’ office, who have both pledged their support in case Mamdani is detained by immigration or border officials. This possibility arises due to increasing calls from allies of former President Donald Trump to strip Mamdani of his citizenship and even expel him from the country.
Tennessee Republican representative Andy Ogles wrote on social media the day after Mamdani’s primary win, “He needs to be DEPORTED,” citing rap lyrics written by Mamdani in his youth that Ogles claims glorify terrorist violence. These sentiments were also echoed by the New York Young Republicans, a political club in Mamdani’s hometown.
Stefano Forte, the club’s president, stated, “He should absolutely be denied entry by immigration officials. It is clear that he is more of a third-world socialist than an American. ” Forte also claimed that Mamdani lied on his naturalization application by stating he was not a member of any radical group or did not want to destabilize the US government.
However, a spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection clarified that the agency does not perform denaturalizations of US citizens. They also added that all travelers entering the US are subject to screening and inspection.
Mamdani’s return comes at a time when border officials have been known to search electronic devices for what they deem as “anti-American” content on social media. While opponents have brought up some of Mamdani’s controversial past posts, immigration lawyers have stated that as a citizen, Mamdani has the right to refuse an inspection.
Zohran Mamdani is a US citizen and has the right to reenter the country,” stated Noor Zafar, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. “He can choose not to answer questions beyond the scope of what Customs and Border officials can ask.
Elizabeth Taufa, a senior policy attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, pointed out that even during the war on terror, there were only a few denaturalization cases each year. She also stated that officials would have no legal grounds to detain Mamdani and that any lengthy questioning would be a violation of his rights.
In the past, Governor Hochul personally intervened when City Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested by federal agents while protesting an immigration detainment. If Mamdani faces any issues upon his return, officials from both Hochul’s office and James’ office have pledged to make themselves available.
An official from the governor’s office stated that they have been in talks with the Port Authority and Homeland Security experts to prepare for Mamdani’s return.