Melania Trump in rare public appearance: Pathway to citizenship ‘arduous’

Former first lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance Friday to deliver remarks at the National Archives Naturalization Ceremony, where she said the pathway to citizenship in the U.S. is “arduous.”

Trump said she felt a “tremendous sense of pride and belonging” after she took the United States Oath of Allegiance — an oath taken by every immigrant to become a U.S. citizen — because “the pathway to citizenship is arduous.”

“For me, reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty,” she said. “At that exact moment, I forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you’re blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now.”

In a speech to 25 newly naturalized citizens in Washington, D.C., Friday, Trump recounted her immigration journey. She was born and raised in Slovenia and moved to New York City in 1996. Trump said upon her arrival in the U.S., she knew she wanted it to be her permanent home.

She researched and visited embassies “with a goal of securing a worker visa.” She said the immigration process was challenging.

“My personal experience of traversing the challenges of the immigration process opened my eyes to the harsh realities these people face, including you, who try to become U.S. citizens,” Trump said.

Trump said she was “devoted” to the process but “certainly was not an attorney.” She said was “fortunate” to receive legal counsel.

In 2001, Trump was reportedly given a green card through the elite EB-1 program, nicknamed the “Einstein visa” for people with “extraordinary ability.” She became a naturalized citizen in 2006 and her parents became citizens in 2018.

Standing before the Declaration of Independence, Trump applauded the 25 citizens recognized at the ceremony.

“Becoming an American citizen comes with responsibility, it means actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom,” she told them. “It also means leading by example and contributing to our society. It is a life altering experience that takes time, determination and sometimes, even tremendous strength.”