2025-06-28T03:17:13Z

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The political landscape in New York City is heating up as calls for the deportation of mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani intensify, primarily coming from Republican circles. Mamdani, a 33-year-old state assemblyman from Queens and a Democratic socialist, has made a bold promise to expel the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from city properties, branding the agency as 'fascist.' His controversial stance has attracted significant attention, prompting reactions from high-profile figures such as President Donald Trump’s Border Czar, Tom Homan.

In an interview with Fox News, Homan responded to Mamdani’s victory over former governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary, stating, 'Good luck with that,' in reference to Mamdani's proposal to remove ICE from New York City. Homan further declared, 'It’s game on,' emphasizing that federal law would take precedence over Mamdani’s local reforms. Homan, who has been a vocal supporter of stricter immigration enforcement, warned that ICE operations would actually increase in New York as concerns about public safety and national security grow.

In his campaign, Mamdani emphasizes the need for comprehensive immigration reform, pledging to strengthen New York’s sanctuary city status. His platform aims to cut off cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration agents, bolster legal aid for immigrants, and protect their personal data. 'Zohran Mamdani will fight Trump’s attempts to gouge the working class and deliver a city where everyone can afford a dignified life,' reads a statement on his official campaign website.

However, Homan countered these assertions, claiming that Mamdani's proposals lack legal authority. He pointed out that federal law would always supersede local policies, stating, 'We’re going to be in New York City, matter of fact, because it’s a sanctuary city and President Trump made it clear a week and a half ago — we’re going to double down and triple down on sanctuary cities.' Homan also highlighted the differences in cooperation between states, suggesting that collaborations with ICE are more effective in Republican-led areas like Florida.

The political discourse took a sharper turn when Tennessee Republican Congressman Andy Ogles weighed in on the topic. Ogles referred to Mamdani as 'little Muhammad' in a post on X (formerly Twitter) and called for his deportation, alleging that Mamdani should be subject to denaturalization proceedings. He labeled him an 'antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York,' a statement that ignited a firestorm of controversy.

Furthermore, Ogles escalated his attack with a formal letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging an investigation into whether Mamdani had obtained U.S. citizenship through fraudulent means. His claims were partially based on a 2017 rap lyric in which Mamdani referenced the 'Holy Land Five,' a group involved in a charity that was shut down for allegedly funding Hamas.

Mamdani’s campaign extends beyond immigration reform. He has proposed establishing city-run grocery stores, freezing rent hikes in rent-stabilized apartments, and offering free public transit. Funding for these initiatives would reportedly come from a proposed $10 billion tax increase targeting large corporations and affluent residents. Since entering the state assembly in 2021, Mamdani has garnered significant public support for his progressive agenda, as demonstrated by his recent victory in the Democratic primary.