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Democrats slam bill barring naturalized citizens from top offices
Jayapal reacted sharply to the proposal, claiming that Mace's bill "denies the very history of a country that has been proudly shaped by immigrants."
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Jeffin T. Kaleekal - Thu, 21, May 2026
- 03:35 EDT
- 41
Congressmembers Pramila Jayapal, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar / Wikimedia commons
Indian-origin lawmakers have reacted sharply to the new Republican call to disallow naturalized citizens from serving in top offices in the country, calling the move "racist" and "insulting."
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace has proposed a constitutional amendment that would prohibit naturalized U.S. citizens from serving in Congress, becoming federal judges or holding Senate-confirmed federal positions.
The proposal specifically referenced lawmakers including Pramila Jayapal and Shri Thanedar, drawing criticism from immigrant rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers.
Jayapal reacted sharply to the proposal, claiming that Mace's bill "denies the very history of a country that has been proudly shaped by immigrants."
Jayapal argued that all Americans, except Native Americans, are essentially immigrants in the U.S., including Nancy Mace.
She concluded, "This narrow-minded, xenophobic legislation has no place in Congress, and I call on all my colleagues — including my Republican colleagues who are naturalized citizens — to condemn this."
Congressman Krishnamoorthi also decried Mace's bill and highlighted his immigrant journey, from being brought to the U.S. as an infant to becoming a naturalized citizen.
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Talking about the proposed bill, he said, "Representative Mace’s proposal to bar naturalized citizens from serving in Congress, on the federal bench and in Senate-confirmed positions is a betrayal of that promise and of a principle that has helped define the American story since our founding."
He also claimed that the bill is an affront to uniformed personnel who serve the country and are willing to die for it but are now being told they are "not American enough to serve in public office."
He added, "Long after our nation forgets the electoral ambitions of those who sought power by demonizing naturalized citizens, those very Americans will continue to contribute, to sacrifice, and to carry forth the promise of America.”
Congressman Shri Thanedar, who was also explicitly named by Rep. Mace, attacked Mace's credentials and mockingly called for a ban on "Congressmembers who make their staff vote for them as the "Hottest" Woman in Congress" from holding office.
In another attack aimed at Rep. Mace, he added, "Get your drinking problem fixed before coming for those of us who worked hard to come here and contribute."
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