Melania Trump, once an aspiring model, arrived in the US with aspirations of furthering her modeling career. She successfully obtained a visa in 2001, which allowed her to work legally in America. Today, Melania, formerly known as Knauss, has not only had a thriving modeling career but is also serving her second term as the First Lady of the United States.
As the Trump administration places heavy emphasis on modifying immigration policies, there’s been renewed scrutiny concerning the visa Melania received. Questions have arisen from a congresswoman about Melania’s eligibility to enter the country.
During his presidency, Donald Trump made clear his hardline stance on immigration. Within his first week back in office, he signed numerous executive orders targeting undocumented immigrants residing in the US.
In June, a call to action was made for federal bodies to implement a “mass deportation programme,” leading to widespread protests nationwide. President Trump also adopted strict measures concerning visas, affecting those intending to enter the US, including international students.
On June 4, after pinpointing Harvard’s student visa initiative, he signed an executive order. This was followed by implementing a travel and visa ban impacting 19 countries. As immigration takes center stage in national news, Melania’s visa status has become a focal point of discussion.
Back in 2000, Melania applied for a work visa in the US as a rising model. Her journey began in 1996, traveling on a tourist visa before securing multiple work visas, thanks to the assistance of Paolo Zampolli, who was pivotal in introducing her to Trump.
Congresswoman Questions Visa Eligibility
By 2001, Melania secured the EB-1 Visa or the “Einstein visa.” According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, such a visa is intended for individuals showcasing extraordinary abilities, outstanding researchers, or certain executives.
The visa is typically awarded to Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympians, and other eminent personalities. This raises the question of Melania’s eligibility for the “Einstein Visa.”
A certain congresswoman voiced her concerns regarding Melania’s qualification for the visa. That year, Melania was one of the select few from Slovenia to be granted this prestigious visa, as reported by The Washington Post.
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing, Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, questioned the legitimacy of Melania’s visa in light of what she perceives as selective outrage from Republican lawmakers concerning visa policies.
“Integrity isn’t about detaining lawful visa holders arbitrarily,” she expressed. “Our nation values free speech, and decisions shouldn’t hinge on social media posts that might offend.”
A Closer Look at Visa Standards
Although Rep. Crockett acknowledged Melania’s career, she challenged the approval of her visa and questioned why President Trump’s family was not scrutinized in immigration discussions.
“Why is there silence about the president’s family’s visa process?” Rep. Crockett asked. “The Einstein visa requires significant achievements, typically seen in Nobel or Pulitzer recipients or those with extraordinary success in various fields. As of now, Melania lacks these accolades.”
“Melania, though a model, isn’t on par with icons like Tyra Banks or Cindy Crawford,” she continued. “Anyone can see that something doesn’t add up here.”
While Melania hasn’t publicly responded to these comments, the debate sparked differing opinions online, with some defending the First Lady, accusing Rep. Crockett of jealousy.
One social media user voiced, “Rep. Jasmine Crockett unjustly targeted Melania Trump due to her modeling career and visa. Keep in mind, jealousy plays a big role here.”
Deportation Debate Resurfaces
This is not the first time Melania’s American residency has been questioned. Earlier in the year, during an anti-immigrant protest in Los Angeles, Democrat Congresswoman Maxine Waters suggested the possibility of deporting the First Lady.
“Trump’s attention on birthright and his opposition to undocumented parents merits a closer examination of Melania,” stated Waters.
“It’s unclear if her parents were documented, so perhaps an investigation is warranted.”
We want to hear your thoughts on Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s view on Melania Trump’s “Einstein Visa.” Feel free to share them with us!
