Mace Targets Foreign-Born Lawmakers in Congress

Rep. Ilhan Omar dismissed a proposal by Rep. Nancy Mace that would bar foreign-born Americans from serving in Congress and other senior federal positions, saying she was not concerned the measure would advance.

“Good luck to her,” Omar told Fox News Digital when asked about Mace’s proposed constitutional amendment.

Mace, a South Carolina Republican, announced last week that she is introducing a joint resolution to amend the Constitution and require members of Congress, federal judges and Senate-confirmed officials to be natural-born US citizens. The standard currently applies only to presidents and vice presidents.

In announcing the measure, Mace specifically named Omar, Rep. Shri Thanedar and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, all Democrats who were born outside the United States and later became naturalized citizens.

“Ilhan Omar. Shri Thanedar. Pramila Jayapal,” Mace wrote on X. “All born in foreign countries, none were citizens by birth. All sitting in the United States Congress. All making clear every single day their loyalty is not to America.”

Omar was born in Somalia and became a US citizen in 2000. Jayapal was born in India and naturalized in 2000. Thanedar was also born in India and became a US citizen in 1988.

There are currently 26 foreign-born members of the House, including 19 Democrats and seven Republicans. Six senators were also born outside the United States.

“If you hold power in the American government, you should be a natural-born American citizen,” Mace said in a statement. She argued that foreign-born officials have shown divided loyalties and said the amendment was “long overdue.”

The proposal faces steep constitutional hurdles. Amendments require approval by two-thirds of both the House and Senate, followed by ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures. The measure has not drawn broad public backing from House Republican leadership or a large group of GOP co-sponsors.

Jayapal condemned the proposal as “narrow-minded” and “xenophobic,” saying it insulted voters who elected naturalized citizens to office.

Thanedar mocked Mace on X, accusing her of targeting immigrants instead of serious issues.

Omar also brushed off a separate proposal from Rep. Randy Fine that would ban dual citizens from serving in Congress, saying, “Who’s that?” when asked about the bill.