Could Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani Have Their US Citizenship Revoked?

Questioning the Security of Naturalized Citizenship

The focus of recent immigration policies has shifted from targeting undocumented immigrants to examining the status of naturalized citizens. This shift raises concerns about the potential revocation of citizenship for prominent figures such as billionaire Elon Musk and political candidate Zohran Mamdani.

President Donald Trump has recently indicated that he is reviewing the naturalization of certain individuals, including Musk and Mamdani, citing suspicions of irregularities or fraud during their citizenship processes. While he has not specified legal grounds, there is speculation that executive actions could be taken to revoke their citizenship if fraud is confirmed.

Legal experts emphasize that revoking the citizenship of US-born citizens is likely unconstitutional, but denaturalization remains an option for naturalized Americans if evidence of fraud or other grounds such as war crimes are found. Currently, naturalization fraud is one of the few justifications that can lead to losing citizenship, impacting over 25 million Americans.

Historical and Legal Context

Historically, citizenship revocations have targeted groups viewed as unpatriotic or politically suspect, including immigrants with leftist views or those who have long resided abroad. Legislation from the 1940s allowed stripping the citizenship of naturalized Americans engaged in activities like voting or military service in foreign countries. However, a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1967 established that citizenship is a constitutional right that cannot be arbitrarily taken away, except in cases of fraud or war crimes.

Recent policies during the Trump administration have intensified efforts to denaturalize individuals suspected of illegal or fraudulent naturalization, employing biometric data and specialized investigation units. While successful cases are limited, concerns persist about potential abuse or overreach that could threaten legal immigrants.

Current Perspectives and Future Risks

Many legal scholars consider the likelihood of Musk or Mamdani losing their citizenship due to fraud to be minimal unless new evidence emerges. Critics warn that governmental rhetoric might be driven by political motives rather than clear legal justifications. Additionally, some experts fear broad interpretations of loyalty and national security could lead to unjust revocations, especially considering recent Supreme Court leanings that favor executive authority.