Melania Trump's naturalization ceremony speech divides internet after she bemoans immigration struggles

WASHINGTON, DC: Melania Trump, the former first lady of the United States, has received criticism online after her speech about her immigration experience.

Her address was delivered during the National Archives Naturalization Ceremony on Friday, December 15, 2023, which marked a rare public appearance for the former First Lady of the United States.

According to Newsweek, as a naturalized US citizen originally from Slovenia, Melania recounted her perspective of navigating the complexities of the American immigration procedure in 1996, when she moved to the United States to seek a career as a fashion model.

During the ceremony, 25 immigrants from 25 different countries were sworn in as new US citizens, and Melania congratulated them, "for every step you took, every obstacle you overcome, and every sacrifice you made," in obtaining the coveted United States citizenship.

She acknowledged that her personal experience of facing the challenges of the immigration process brought to her attention the harsh realities that people face in their efforts to become US citizens.

Melania told those in attendance, "My personal experience of traversing the challenges of the immigration process opened my eyes to the harsh realities people face, including you, who try to become US citizens."

She also acknowledged that comprehending the United States immigration laws and the complex legal jargon contained within can be challenging, and that, despite her dedication, she was not fluent in it.

"Then, of course, there are nuances of understanding the United States immigration laws and the complex legal language contained therein. I was very devoted, but I certainly was not an attorney," she noted.

What did Trump's critics say about Melania’s address?

Critics of Melania Trump took to social media yesterday to highlight the apparent contrast between her account of the “arduous” path she took to citizenship, and her husband's promises to crack down on US immigration policies in the event of his reelection in 2024.

Further questions have been raised on social media about how Melania and her family were able to become US citizens.

According to a Washington Post report from 2018, Melania applied for and received a Green Card in March 2001, using a visa reserved for individuals with "extraordinary ability" - also known as the ‘Einstein visa.’

She was granted US citizenship in 2006, shortly after the birth of her son with former President Donald Trump, Barron.

Melania's parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs were granted US citizenship in 2018 through a legal pathway that President Trump has repeatedly referred to as "chain migration."

The former President suggested that the pathway be eliminated as it enables US citizens to sponsor green cards for their relatives, granting them residency in the country.

Michael Wildes, an immigration lawyer who represented Melania Trump and identifies as a Democrat, stated to The Hill in 2018 that her parents were given no special treatment in their quest to become US citizens.

Donald Trump’s stance on immigration

Former United States President Donald Trump had already outlined his immigration plans for his second term, which included reviving his 2019 ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy, imposing restrictions on immigration from Middle Eastern countries, and ending automatic US citizenship for children born in the US to undocumented immigrants.

In a recent town hall with Fox News' Sean Hannity, the former president had expressed his intention to act like a "dictator" during his initial days in office to "close the border" between the US and Mexico.

"(Peter) Baker today in The New York Times, he said that I want to be a dictator. I didn't say that, I said I want to be a dictator for one day,"  referencing Peter Baker's article in The New York Times, where he was quoted as saying he wanted to be a dictator.

Trump clarified to Hannity that his comments made during a speech at the New York Young Republican Club on December 10, 2023, were because he wanted a wall and to increase drilling activities.

He explained, "And you know why I wanted to be a dictator? Because I want a wall, right? I want a wall and I want to drill, drill, drill."

Internet divided over Melania Trump's speech

Users on X on both sides of the political spectrum expressed their reactions to the former First Lady Melania Trump's address at the National Archives Naturalization Ceremony on Friday.

One X user remarked, "It was great to see her at such a happy occasion."

Another user said, "Interesting she’ll do this but she won’t appear on the campaign trail with her husband."

Another user tweeted, "Melania is the best FLOTUS!"

One user said, "Great speech from Melania! So interesting to hear how she became an American Citizen. How warm it was for her to welcome and congratulate new Citizens."

Another X user wrote, "Melania worked on a visitors visa which is a violation of her stay Why wasn’t she removed from the country?"

Finally, a user tweeted, "Wonderful to see our amazing First Lady again…"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.