Melania Trump made a rare and dramatic public appearance to welcome new US citizens and tell them about her own personal journey to becoming an American.
The former first lady gave a heartfelt speech celebrating the 25 new citizens from 25 countries at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington DC
Wearing an elegant black pantsuit, Melania told them how she had been determined to pursue her own American dream.
She said reaching the “milestone of citizenship” was the “sunrise of certainty” in her life.
“You are Americans,” she told the new citizens, adding that they should be “proud” and “stand their ground.”
Melania came to the United States from Slovenia in 1996 and became a U.S. citizen ten years later.
Melania Trump spoke to new citizens at the National Archives on Friday: “My personal experience with the challenges of the immigration process has opened my eyes to the harsh realities faced by people, including you, who seek to become U.S. citizens.”
The former first lady made a rare public appearance
Melania described her journey from her childhood in Slovenia to her life in the United States and her own pride in becoming an American.
“The road to citizenship is difficult.” “I was born and raised in picturesque Slovenia, where my parents taught me the importance of a strong work ethic and pursuing my dreams,” she said.
The values they instilled in me at a young age shaped my modeling career and took me to Paris and Milan. Working internationally has brought many trials and tribulations, but it wasn't until I moved to New York City in 1996 that my resolve was truly tested.
“My life revolved around organizing the paperwork,” she said of her naturalization process.
“Patience and prudence became my constant companions,” she said. “For me, reaching the milestone meant the dawn of certainty.” At that very moment, I forever shed the burden of whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you feel a similar sense of comfort right now.'
She said citizenship gave her “a tremendous sense of pride and belonging.”
She noted that her personal experience in the immigration system opened her eyes to the harsh realities of immigrants.
“My personal experience with the challenges of the immigration process has opened my eyes to the harsh realities faced by people, including you, who are attempting to become U.S. citizens.”
She advised the newly sworn-in immigrants about what it means to be a good citizen.
“Becoming an American citizen comes with responsibility. It means actively participating in the democratic process and protecting our freedom. It also means leading by example and contributing to our society. It is a life-changing experience that requires time, determination and sometimes even tremendous strength. “You are now part of a nation with a rich history of progress, innovation and resilience,” she said.
She concluded with “Be proud of yourself.” Remain steadfast and take advantage of the opportunities that lie before you. They are American.'
The former first lady sat quietly in the front row as the new citizens swore the oath to a federal judge. Behind her are displayed the Constitution of the United States and the Declaration of Independence.
She spoke as her husband fights for a second term in the White House. If he wins, Donald Trump would dramatically expand his anti-immigration crackdown in his first term, The New York Times reported last month, which would sharply restrict both legal and illegal immigration.
His plans include using Immigration and Customs Enforcement to conduct sweeping raids across the country, returning to his travel ban on people from certain Muslim-majority countries and reinstating a Covid-19-era policy of rejecting asylum claims.
Melania Trump enters the naturalization ceremony
Melania Trump as a child in Slovenia
Melania Trump speaks with Colleen Shogan when she was first lady in 2020
Melania Trump was invited to speak by US archivist Colleen Shogan, who met Trump when Shogan worked at the White House Historical Association during Melania Trump's term as first lady.
When Shogan introduced Trump, she emphasized that she “knows what a naturalization ceremony is like.”
Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia in 1970, received US citizenship in 2006. She is only the country's second foreign-born first lady.
During her childhood, Melania's father, Viktor, was a member of the Communist Party under Yugoslav dictator Marshal Tito, and as Melania grew up, the family lived in a series of modest apartments. Melania's mother Amalija worked as an executive in a textile factory.
She began modeling in Europe and moved to New York City in 1996. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2006 and then helped her parents become American citizens.
Friday's naturalization event comes nearly two years after the National Archives and Record Administration asked the Justice Department to investigate Donald Trump's handling of documents from his White House tenure.
The investigation led to an indictment against the former president, who pleaded not guilty to 37 federal charges. The trial in the case is expected to begin in May in Florida.
If re-elected in 2024, Donald Trump has promised a far-reaching expansion of tough immigration policies that would restrict both legal and illegal immigration.
During the Trump administration, Melania seemed unconcerned with immigration issues — especially after her controversial visit to a migrant detention center on the southern border in 2018, when she wore her now-infamous “I really don't care, do you?” ' Jacket.
Melania Trump was born in Slovenia in 1970 and came to the USA in 1996
Melania Trump made a rare appearance at Rossalyn Carter's funeral last month, alongside former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton
As first lady, Melania Trump visited the migrant detention center at the southern border in 2018, where she wore her now-infamous “I don’t care, do I?” logo. Jacket
Melania Trump has largely avoided public attention since leaving Washington in January 2021. She was seen in social media posts from guests visiting the Trump clubs at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida; and in Bedminster, New Jersey.
Last month she made a rare appearance at Rossalyn Carter's funeral, alongside former first ladies Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton.
Notably, Melania Trump was not at Donald Trump's side as he fought his numerous legal battles in New York, Georgia and in federal courts.
And while Melania Trump has said she supports her husband's bid for a second term in the White House, she hasn't appeared at one of his campaign events in more than a year – not since he launched his 2024 bid at Mar-aA- Camp announced. Lago on November 15, 2022.
In September, Donald Trump suggested that his wife would soon join him on the trail.
Trump suggested that his wife might join him on the campaign trail in the near future.
“When appropriate, but fairly soon,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “She's a private person, a great person, a very confident person and she loves our country very much.” … And honestly, I like to keep her away from it. It's so gross and so mean.'