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Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Did Zohran Mamdani lie on his naturalization form? Rep Andy Ogles wonders
Zohran Mamdani, the Indian-Ugandan-born candidate, who recently clinched the Democratic nomination for mayor, is being repeatedly torched by Tennessee Congressman Andy Ogles, who is even questioning the legitimacy of his U.S. citizenship. Ogles questions Mamdani's naturalisation, citing past rap lyrics related to a convicted charity, suggesting potential grounds for denaturalisation.(AFP. X/Andy Ogles) Raised in the US since Mamdani immigrated here with his family two decades ago. He became a US citizen in 2018. Since he has made a career out of state politics, having been elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020. ALSO READ| '100% communist lunatic, looks terrible': Trump attacks Zohran Mamdani after poll win Andy Ogles urges DOJ to 'investigate Zohran Mamdani' 'Bye bye, little muhammad! If you lied on your N-400 naturalization forms, you're going home,' Ogles wrote in a X post, that was posted last night. This continues a recent series of X post where Ogles urged federal authorities to investigate Mamdani's naturalisation, raising the possibility that he may have gained citizenship through 'willful misrepresentation or concealment of material support for terrorism.' 'Zohran 'little muhammad' Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings,' Ogles wrote in another post. While the claims stem from Mamdani's past career as a rapper when he reportedly used the phrase, 'Free the Holy Land Five / My guys,' a line alluding to the Holy Land Foundation, a Texas-based charity that was convicted in 2008 for funnelling money to Hamas. 'While I understand that some may raise First Amendment concerns about taking legal action based on expressive conduct, such as rap lyrics, speech alone does not preclude accountability where it reasonably suggests underlying conduct relevant to eligibility of naturalization,' Ogles wrote. 'If an individual publicly glorifies a group convicted of financing terrorism, it is entirely appropriate for federal authorities to inquire whether the individual engaged in non-public forms of support — such as organizational affiliation, fundraising, or advocacy — that would have required disclosure on Form N-400 or during a naturalization interview.' ASLO READ| From Hinge to headlines: Zohran Mamdani and Rama Duwaji, New York City's new 'it couple' What is Form N-400? The N-400, which every permanent resident applies to and has to fill out, is the process of gaining the status of U.S. citizenship. These are such questions as the mentioned membership in organisations, political parties, and engagement in any activities which may be deemed as a threat to the U.S. national security. 'The naturalization process depends on the good-faith disclosure of any affiliation with, or support for, groups that threaten US national security,' Ogles continued. 'If Mr. Mamdani concealed relevant associations, that concealment may constitute a material misrepresentation sufficient to support denaturalization under federal law.' ASLO READ| Who is Eric Adams, Zohran Mamdani's main rival in New York City mayoral polls? So far, Mamdani has not responded publicly to the accusations.
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Newsweek
Green Card Holder Detained by ICE at Immigration Appointment, Wife Says
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A Mississippi man and green card holder who has been in the United States for over a decade was detained at what was supposed to be a routine immigration appointment, throwing his family's life into turmoil, according to an account from his wife. Kasper Eriksen, a Danish national, traveled to Memphis for what he thought be the final interview in his application for U.S. citizenship on April 15, 2025. The 31-year-old welder, who has lived legally in the United States since 2013, was taken into custody due to what the family described as a paperwork discrepancy dating back to 2015. He has since been held at the LaSalle Detention Center, an ICE facility in Jena, Louisiana. Eriksen's wife, Savannah Hobart Eriksen, says the situation came about without warning. "At 8 a.m. on April 15, 2025, we arrived in Memphis for his final interview together. There, we were met by ICE agents. Kasper was detained for a paperwork miscommunication from 2015, and I was sent home with no explanation and no idea where my husband had been transported," she said. "I was 22 weeks pregnant at the time, and as I drove the 3-hour journey back to Sturgis, Mississippi, to say I couldn't control my emotions would be an understatement." Newsweek has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for comment. Kasper Eriksen alongside his wife Savannah Hobart Eriksen, and their children. Kasper Eriksen alongside his wife Savannah Hobart Eriksen, and their children. Supplied Kasper was in the final stages of the naturalization process to become a U.S. citizen. As of September 12, 2024, he received an update indicating that his application (Form N-400) was actively under review, with no outstanding requirements or issues on record. Several months later, on March 7, 2025, his case progressed further when an interview for his naturalization application was scheduled, marking a significant step toward completing his path to citizenship. Despite his compliance and long-standing legal residency, Kasper has now been detained for over a month, with no court date scheduled to review his case. "Kasper has a long history of lawful personal and immigration behavior. Unlawful behavior is not part of his character. Detaining Kasper seems vengeful and is not morally right or rational," Savannah said. She says that Kasper first came to the U.S. in 2009 as a high school exchange student. He returned legally in 2013 after marrying Savannah, an American citizen, and began the legal immigration process. Since then, the couple has built a life in Sturgis where they are raising four children, with a fifth due in August. Kasper is the family's sole provider and works as a foreman at The Welding Works and is in the process of completing construction on the family's home. Savannah, who homeschools their children, described the effect of her husband's detention as devastating. "This situation has not only detained Kasper but also has placed an emotional, mental burden upon our children and me. The financial strain of paying our regular bills and attorney/court fees, however, we are thankful we have friends, family, and our community for their love and support." She also emphasized the toll Kasper's detention has taken on their family and community, noting that his absence leaves their household without its sole source of income and stability. She said Kasper's detention is hurting their family, since he's the sole provider for their children Savannah said her husband is known in the community as a hardworking and compassionate person. "He is considered an outstanding employee with an impeccable work ethic by his employer and the employees whom he supervises. He has paid his taxes since being employed in the U.S., holds a valid driver's license and SSN, and contributes as a valuable member of his community." As of May 15, Kasper's attorneys had met with him to review parole and bond petitions, but no date has been set for his case to be reviewed. Immigration courts are overwhelmed, with a backlog exceeding 3.7 million cases, according to Syracuse University's Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse. Asylum-seekers often wait years for a decision. According to a recent AP/NORC poll, there's broad support across both parties for adding judges and staff to ease the burden as President Donald Trump's administration is carrying out what they describe as the "largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history." For now, the Eriksen family continues to wait, separated and uncertain of what comes next. "This situation has not only detained Kasper but also has placed an emotional, mental burden upon our children and me," Savannah said. "Without [our community], my children or I wouldn't have any hope of normalcy and wouldn't be able to secure the attorneys who are working to get Kasper home to us." "While Kasper embodies all the positive qualities of a hardworking man in pursuit of the American Dream, he never forgets his family and friends. He spends time with us and takes the time to give each of his children the attention and fatherly love they deserve," she said.
