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News18
18 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Melania Trump's EB-1 Visa Questioned Amid Crackdown On Immigrants: 'First Lady Had None...'
Last Updated: Melania Trump was Donald Trump's girlfriend when her EB-1 visa was approved. Though she is a US citizen now, her visa approval in 2001 was questioned in House Judiciary Committee. Amid Donald Trump's stringent immigration policies, criticism has now reached his doorstep as Jasmine Crockett, a Democratic Congresswoman, questioned why First Lady Melania Trump – an immigrant herself – was given an EB-1 visa back in 2001, despite not having 'significant achievements" in any field. Crockett questioned why the issue isn't being raised 'when it comes to the president's family's visas". She voiced her sharp opinion that she should not have been given the EB-1 visa. Her remarks came during a meeting of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday. 'The first lady, a model, and when I say model, I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford, or Naomi Campbell-level, applied for and was given an EB-1 visa," she said. The EB-1 visa, often called the 'Einstein Visa," is for people with outstanding talent or achievements. The government says this includes winners of awards like the Pulitzer, Oscar, or Olympic medals, as well as top researchers and executives from big international companies. Melania applied for the visa in 2000, when she was not married to Donald Trump and was only his girlfriend. She was then known as Melania Knauss, a Slovenian model who worked in New York. She got the EB-1 visa in 2001 and became a citizen in 2006. She got the right to sponsor her parents after that. 'Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa. You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer, being an Olympic medallist, or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics," Crockett pointed out. 'Last time I checked, the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt. It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin here," she added. She also raised questions on Donald Trump: 'Why aren't we talking about integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas?" Crockett criticised the US immigration approach, saying people are being arrested even at visa or citizenship appointments. She called Republican claims of restoring integrity a 'joke," adding that real integrity isn't detaining legal visa holders or cancelling visas over social media posts.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Not everybody could marry Donald Trump': What's the row over Melania Trump's Einstein Visa?
Melania Trump's Einstein visa is at the center of a fresh controversy. The Einstein visa, officially known as the EB-1 visa (Employment-Based First Preference visa), is a US immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in fields like science, arts, education, business, or athletics. It's for those who demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements are recognized through extensive documentation. First Lady Melania Trump was on an Einstein visa in the US before she became a citizen. Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett raised the issue and asked how Melania Trump, being a model, was granted this category of visa. 'Not everybody could marry Donald Trump' Speaking during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, Crockett called out Republican's double standard on visas. "Why aren't we talking about integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas?" she asked. "Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa," Crockett said. "You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer; being an Olympic medalist; or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Last time I checked the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt." "Melania, the first lady, a model—and when I say model I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level—applied for and was given an EB1 visa." "It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here," Crockett said. The Cato Institute's Alex Nowrasteh, who also testified during the House hearing, responded and said not everybody could marry Donald Trump. "And I think that's quite an achievement, so I think she deserves credit for that. Nobody up here could have done it!" Alex said. "You sure are right, I couldn't have done it," Crockett said. Born in Slovenia, Melania Trump came to the US in 1996 on a tourist visa which converted into a work visa as she started started pursuing her modeling career in New York. She received her Einstein Visa in 2001, four years before their marriage in 2005.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Outspoken Dem Rep. Jasmine Crockett slammed for ‘evil' comments about Melania Trump's modeling career, US citizenship
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) has been slammed as 'evil' and a 'disgrace' for insulting Melania Trump's modeling career and marriage during a heated House hearing — even suggesting there was no way the first lady could have earned a so-called 'Einstein visa.' The outspoken lefty pol took a swipe at President Trump's wife and ridiculed her US citizenship as lawmakers argued over restoring the visa process during Wednesday's House Judiciary Committee hearing. After attacking the Trump administration's immigration tactics, Crockett quickly made things personal. 3 Dem Rep. Jasmine Crockett took aim at Melania Trump during a heated House hearing. 'Since we're talking about integrity, I'm confused as to why my Republican colleagues aren't talking about the lack of integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas,' she griped. 'Melania, the first lady — a model, and when I say model, I'm not talking Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level — applied for and was given an EB-1 visa,' she said cruelly. Melania moved to the US on an EB-1 visa — dubbed the 'Einstein visa' — as a model in the 1990s before eventually becoming a US citizen in 2006 after marrying Trump. Crockett, who is notorious for going viral during committee hearings with her incendiary rhetoric, added insult to injury by explaining the Einstein visa process. 3 Melania moved to the US on an EB-1 visa — dubbed the 'Einstein visa' — as a model in the 1990s. Getty Images 'You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer, being an Olympic medalist, or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics,' she said. 'Last time I checked the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt.' 'It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here,' she added. 3 Crockett has been called 'evil' and a 'disgrace' for her comments about the first lady. Getty Images The backlash against her was swift with many on social media blasting the Texas lawmaker as being 'jealous.' 'Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) disgracefully attacked Melania Trump on Wednesday for her modeling career and visa. Crockett said Melania wasn't on the same level as other models and didn't have the accolades to warrant an Einstein visa. Crockett is jealous,' one user wrote on X. 'Can Jasmine Crockett speak 5 Languages like Melania? NO! so she can just close her mouth,' another raged. One person chimed in, saying: 'How dare her compare Melania to those models? Melania has a lot more class in her little finger than Jasmine Crockett has in her whole body!'
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Melania Trump's Visa Questioned in Congressional Hearing
First lady Melania Trump's immigration history came under fire during a heated congressional hearing this week. Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett questioned how the former model qualified for a visa typically reserved for individuals with "significant achievement." Speaking during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Crockett challenged what she described as selective outrage from Republican lawmakers over visa policy. "Integrity isn't snatching lawful visa holders off the streets and throwing them into unmarked vans," she said. "Integrity is not revoking visas based on social media posts that hurt somebody's little feelings, because kids decided they wanted to go after Trump or this administration. We have a thing called free speech in this country." Crockett then turned the spotlight on what she called a double standard in how visa rules are enforced and discussed, questioning why Republicans weren't scrutinizing the immigration paths of those close to the president. "Why aren't we talking about integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas?" she asked. The congresswoman specifically targeted Melania Trump's 2001 EB-1 visa, also known as the "Einstein visa," a category typically reserved for individuals with "sustained national or international acclaim." "Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa," Crockett said. "You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer; being an Olympic medalist; or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Last time I checked the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt." Crockett acknowledged Melania's modeling career but questioned whether it rose to the level the EB-1 visa demands. "Melania, the first lady, a model—and when I say model I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level—applied for and was given an EB1 visa." Concluding her remarks with a jab, Crockett said: "It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here." Related Articles Inside King Charles' Plans for Donald Trump's Historic State VisitTrump's 10 Most Shocking Moments in 10 Years - and How Left & Right ReactedDonald Trump Booed at Kennedy Center, Drowned Out By 'USA' ChantsHere's Donald Trump's Marriage Advice To France's Emmanuel Macron 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Melania Trump's Visa Questioned in Congressional Hearing
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. First lady Melania Trump's immigration history came under fire during a heated congressional hearing this week. Democratic Representative Jasmine Crockett questioned how the former model qualified for a visa typically reserved for individuals with "significant achievement." Speaking during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Crockett challenged what she described as selective outrage from Republican lawmakers over visa policy. "Integrity isn't snatching lawful visa holders off the streets and throwing them into unmarked vans," she said. "Integrity is not revoking visas based on social media posts that hurt somebody's little feelings, because kids decided they wanted to go after Trump or this administration. We have a thing called free speech in this country." Crockett then turned the spotlight on what she called a double standard in how visa rules are enforced and discussed, questioning why Republicans weren't scrutinizing the immigration paths of those close to the president. "Why aren't we talking about integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas?" she asked. The congresswoman specifically targeted Melania Trump's 2001 EB-1 visa, also known as the "Einstein visa," a category typically reserved for individuals with "sustained national or international acclaim." "Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa," Crockett said. "You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer; being an Olympic medalist; or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Last time I checked the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt." Crockett acknowledged Melania's modeling career but questioned whether it rose to the level the EB-1 visa demands. "Melania, the first lady, a model—and when I say model I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level—applied for and was given an EB1 visa." Concluding her remarks with a jab, Crockett said: "It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here."
