Republican Lawmaker Proposes MAMDANI Act to Deport Citizens Advocating Socialism
Far-right Republican Congressman Chip Roy has introduced controversial legislation that could lead to the denaturalization and deportation of American citizens who "advocate" for socialist or communist ideologies. The proposed bill specifically targets members of the Democratic Socialists of America, including prominent figures like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.
Expanding Grounds for Denaturalization
The legislation, officially titled the Measures Against Marxism's Dangerous Adherents and Noxious Islamists (MAMDANI) Act, would significantly amend the longstanding Immigration and Nationality Act. Under its provisions, any "alien" could face deportation, denial of entry, or citizenship revocation based on "any membership, affiliation or advocacy of socialist, communist, Chinese communist, Marxist or Islamic fundamentalist doctrines."
This represents a dramatic expansion of current immigration enforcement powers, allowing the government to target individuals based on their political beliefs and ideological associations. The bill notably excludes any reference to violent right-wing ideological movements, focusing exclusively on left-wing and Islamic political expressions.
Targeting Democratic Socialists of America
The legislation appears specifically designed to target the Democratic Socialists of America, a political organizing group with over 100,000 members nationwide. Representative Roy's bill would enable immigration authorities to pursue denaturalization proceedings against any member of this organization or its affiliate groups.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was born in Uganda in 1991 and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018, has become a particular focus of Republican criticism. His election victory in 2025 sparked renewed calls from conservative lawmakers for investigations into his citizenship status and eligibility to hold office.
Echoes of Red Scare Era Policies
The proposed legislation bears striking resemblance to largely defunct Red Scare-era laws that sought to identify and remove perceived communists from American society. These historical precedents, including the infamous Un-American Activities Committee, were widely criticized for violating civil liberties and suppressing political dissent.
Republican Senator Mike Collins recently suggested reviving such committees, stating, "New York City is on the verge of electing a socialist for mayor. Might be time to bring back the committee." This sentiment reflects growing concerns among civil liberties advocates about the potential erosion of First Amendment protections.
Broader Political Context
Representative Roy's legislation emerges within a broader political landscape where immigration and citizenship laws have become increasingly weaponized against political opponents. The Trump administration previously indicated plans to "prioritize and maximally pursue denaturalization proceedings in all cases permitted by law," with particular focus on individuals deemed to "pose a potential danger to national security."
Roy, a leader in the far-right House Freedom Caucus and ally of former President Donald Trump, has made numerous public statements targeting Muslim communities and Islamic political expressions. According to recent reports, he has posted about Muslims, Islam, or "sharia law" at least 244 times since January, more than any other member of Congress.
Legal and Constitutional Implications
The proposed legislation raises significant constitutional questions regarding freedom of speech, association, and due process. Legal experts anticipate challenges based on First Amendment protections for political expression and Fourteenth Amendment guarantees of equal protection under the law.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is preparing to decide on the constitutionality of an executive order that would revoke automatic U.S. citizenship at birth. If upheld, this policy could deny citizenship to tens of thousands of eligible newborns annually, further expanding the government's power over citizenship determinations.
Reactions and Responses
Supporters of the legislation argue that national sovereignty requires strict controls over immigration and citizenship. Grant Newman, director of government relations for the Immigration Accountability Project, stated, "Admission to the United States is a privilege, not a right. We have absolutely no obligation to open our doors to aliens who seek to undermine the Constitution."
Critics, however, warn that the bill represents a dangerous precedent that could be used to target political opponents based on ideological grounds. The legislation marks at least the third bill this year specifically named after Mayor Mamdani, with previous Republican-sponsored proposals seeking to strip New York City of federal funding and investigate government-run initiatives.
The mayor's office has been contacted for comment regarding the latest legislative proposal, but no response has been issued at this time. As political tensions escalate ahead of midterm elections, this legislation highlights deepening divisions over immigration policy, citizenship rights, and the boundaries of acceptable political discourse in contemporary American politics.
