Zohran Mamdani has been a U.S. citizen since 2018, so as of early 2026 he has been a citizen for about 8 years.

Who is “Mamdani”?

Most discussion around this question refers to Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the New York City mayor-elect (and former New York State Assembly member). He was born in Uganda in 1991, moved to the U.S. as a child, and later entered politics in New York.

When did he become a citizen?

Multiple news profiles and explainers note that Mamdani became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018.

Given the current year 2026, that means he has held U.S. citizenship for roughly 8 years.

Why is this trending?

His citizenship timing and status have become a political flashpoint because:

  • Some Republican politicians have publicly questioned or challenged his eligibility and even floated denaturalization or deportation, which legal experts describe as a high bar and unlikely.
  • These debates intensified as he rose from state legislator to New York City mayor-elect, making “how long has Mamdani been a US citizen” a recurring search and forum topic.

Quick fact list

  • Naturalized U.S. citizen: 2018.
  • Approximate years as a citizen (by early 2026): about 8 years.
  • Basis of current controversy: partisan attempts to question or revoke that citizenship, with no proven fraud found in public reporting as of late 2025.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.