Melania Trump's Visa Questioned in Congressional Hearing
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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."
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