Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist front-runner for mayor of New York City, identified himself as both “Asian” and “Black or African American” on his 2009 Columbia University application, The New York Times has reported.
According to leaked internal admissions data obtained by the Times, Mamdani, then a high school senior, checked both racial categories and also added “Ugandan” in a free‑response field.
Mamdani explained that at the time, college applications did not include an option that fully captured his unique identity — born in Uganda to Indian parents, immigrated to the United States at age seven, and raised in New York.
“Most college applications don’t have a box for Indian‑Ugandans, so I checked multiple boxes trying to capture the fullness of my background,” he told the newspaper.
Mamdani now describes himself as “an American who was born in Africa” and has stated that he does not identify as Black or African American, adding that checking these boxes was not intended to gain an admissions advantage but to accurately reflect his heritage.
He emphasized that he clarified his nationality in the “Ugandan” write-in section and regards the decision as one of honesty amid limited options.
The revelation has sparked debate. Critics allege the dual identification may have been a strategic attempt to benefit from race-conscious admissions policies at elite universities.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, also a candidate in the upcoming general election, has demanded that Columbia release Mamdani’s full application records, calling the situation “an insult to every student who got into college the right way.” Adams characterized the move as misleading and offensive.
In a campaign video interview on NPR, Mamdani emphasized his identification as a “South Asian elected official” and a “Muslim elected official,” grounding his public identity in those communities.
Mamdani’s candidacy, as a 33-year-old immigrant and progressive, has energized diverse voter groups, including South Asian and Muslim New Yorkers, especially after clinching the Democratic mayoral nomination earlier this month.
But this controversy introduces a new dimension to his profile, raising questions about identity, representation, and political optics.
As the general election approaches, this story is likely to intensify discussion around race, authenticity, and how political figures present themselves. For now, Mamdani maintains that he acted transparently given the constraints and complexities of his background.
