How Melania Trump Qualified For Elite EB-1 Visa After 1996 Move

Melania Trump has been living in the United States since 1996.

After growing up in Slovenia, the FLOTUS went to America at the age of 18 as a tourist. Two years later, she met President Donald Trump at a party, and they started dating shortly after.

While residing in the United States, the first lady pursued her modeling career. She appeared on high-profile magazines such as Vogue, Vanity Fair and more. Four years after her arrival in the U.S. on a tourist visa, Melania obtained her H-1B work visa before she applied for permanent residency.

According to Express, the FLOTUS campaigned for permanent residency under the EB-1 program. The program is used by people who are highly acclaimed in their field. Melania was one of the five Slovenians who were granted permanent residency due to her extraordinary abilities.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires applicants to provide evidence of their achievements. They should also meet at least three out of the 10 criteria listed on the website. This includes having published material on trade publications or other media platforms.

While speaking with The Washington Post, Melania's lawyer, Michael Wildes, said that his client is "solidly eligible" for the EB-1 visa.

But during an interview with BBC last year, Susan McFadden, a specialist U.S. visa lawyer, said that EB-1 visas have also been given to lesser-known individuals. This suggests that the FLOTUS’ permanent residency didn’t have anything to do with her having extraordinary abilities.

“An experienced lawyer knows what the US citizenship and immigration services are looking for, and how to bring out of the client’s background things that will be attractive to the agency,” she said.

Before receiving her U.S. citizenship, Melania and President Trump tied the knot in 2005. One year later, they welcomed their son, Barron Trump.

The couple’s marriage has not always been easy. Just last year, rumors swirled that the POTUS cheated on his wife. During her interview with ABC last year, the first lady refused to talk about her husband’s alleged infidelity, but she hinted on the fact that the rumors have hurt her.

“I know people like to speculate and media like to speculate about our marriage and circulate the gossip. But I understand the gossip sells newspapers, magazines ... and, unfortunately, we live in this kind of world today,” she said.