You’ve probably seen her name popping up in the news over the last few years. Deqa Dhalac. She’s the woman who made national headlines as the first Somali-American mayor in the United States. It's a huge deal. But with that kind of spotlight comes a lot of questions, mostly about her background. Specifically, people keep asking: is Deqa Dhalac a U.S. citizen?
Honestly, the answer is a very clear yes. She’s been a citizen for decades.
In a world where political rumors fly faster than actual facts, it’s easy to get tangled up in the "what-ifs." But Dhalac’s path to citizenship isn't a secret. She’s actually been quite open about it. She didn't just wake up one day in a mayor’s chair in South Portland, Maine. It was a long, winding road that started thousands of miles away in Mogadishu.
The Journey to American Citizenship
Dhalac fled Somalia in 1990. This was right as the country was sliding into a brutal civil war. She didn't come straight to the U.S., though. Like many refugees, her journey was a bit of a trek. She spent time in Italy, England, and Canada.
She finally landed in Atlanta, Georgia, in late 1992.
This is where the citizenship part gets specific. Dhalac became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998. She remembers the ceremony clearly. Back then, it wasn't the big, publicized event that some naturalization ceremonies are today. She has mentioned in interviews that there was no fanfare, just a group of people taking an oath to their new home.
By the time she moved to Maine in 2005, she had already been a citizen for seven years.
Why the Question Even Comes Up
Why do people keep asking if Deqa Dhalac is a U.S. citizen? Mostly because she’s a "first." When you are the first Somali-American mayor or the first African-born female mayor, people start looking for reasons to nitpick your eligibility.
It's sorta just how modern politics works.
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There’s also a common misconception about refugees. Some folks assume "refugee" is a permanent status that somehow excludes citizenship. In reality, being a refugee is a starting point. For Dhalac, it was the beginning of a process that led to full legal participation in American democracy. She didn't just live here; she organized. Even before she ran for office, she was literally working to get other immigrants to become citizens and register to vote.
She wasn't just following the rules; she was teaching them.
Breaking Down Her Political Eligibility
You can't just walk into a City Council seat or a State Representative position without being a citizen. It’s a hard requirement.
- South Portland City Council: Dhalac was elected in 2018. To hold this office, you must be a registered voter in your district, which requires U.S. citizenship.
- Mayor of South Portland: She was chosen as mayor by her fellow council members in 2021. Again, the same rules apply.
- Maine House of Representatives: She currently represents District 120. State law is very strict about this. You have to be a U.S. citizen for at least five years before you can even serve in the Maine Legislature.
Dhalac has been a citizen since 1998. That’s nearly 30 years of citizenship under her belt. She’s been a citizen longer than some of her constituents have been alive.
Life Before the Ballot
Before she was "Representative Dhalac," she was a social worker and an interpreter. She earned two master’s degrees—one from the University of New Hampshire and another from the University of New England.
She worked for Catholic Charities Maine. She co-founded nonprofits.
Basically, she did the work. Her story is a classic example of the "immigrant success story," but with a lot of extra grit. She raised three kids in South Portland. Her children were all born in the U.S. and identify as African-American. While she makes sure they know their Somali roots, she’s always emphasized that they are part of the American fabric.
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What Really Happened with the 2018 Election
When she first ran for the South Portland City Council in 2018, it wasn't exactly a smooth ride. She faced some pushback. Some of it was standard political disagreement, but some of it was definitely targeted at her background.
She once said that her oldest child was actually worried about her running. They were concerned about a Muslim woman of color putting herself in such a public, vulnerable position. But Dhalac didn't back down. She knocked on doors. She talked to neighbors who didn't look like her.
She won that special election with a huge margin. It wasn't because of her "story"—it was because she focused on affordable housing, the environment, and schools. Things every Mainer cares about.
Actionable Insights: Verifying Citizenship Status of Officials
If you're ever curious about a political candidate's citizenship, you don't have to rely on social media rumors. There are actual ways to check.
- Voter Registration Requirements: Every state requires U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Since holding office almost always requires being a registered voter, the fact that someone is on the ballot is a massive indicator.
- Candidate Filing Papers: When someone runs for office, they have to sign legal documents affirming they meet all eligibility requirements, including citizenship and age. These are public records.
- State Constitution Checks: You can look up the specific requirements for your state’s legislature. In Maine, the Constitution is very clear about the citizenship and residency requirements for representatives.
- Official Biographies: While you should always verify, official government websites (like the Maine House of Representatives site) provide vetted biographical data.
The reality is that Deqa Dhalac is as American as anyone else sitting in that State House. She took the long way to get here, sure, but she’s been a citizen since the late 90s. The questions about her status are usually more about identity politics than actual legal standing. If you want to know the truth, just look at her 1998 naturalization date. It’s been settled for a long time.
If you are looking to research other local leaders or understand how naturalization impacts voting rights, check your local Secretary of State's website for candidate eligibility rules.