The former first lady Melania Trump is not an easy person to see. However, many saw her recently at an event where she stressed the importance of “guarding our freedom” and the responsibilities accompanying American citizenship.
The event was a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives held on Friday. Melania Trump was born in Slovenia and is the only first lady who is a naturalized U.S. citizen.
She recounted her journey to becoming a citizen during her appearance at the ceremony. It began with a work visa she acquired upon arriving in New York City during her days as a model.
“How fortunate to be with the naturalizing individuals and their families as they recite the Oath of Allegiance and become Americans before our great nation’s founding documents,” she said.
The location of the ceremony was notable. The national repository for presidential documents is one of the criminal cases pending against her husband, former President Donald Trump. The Republican is insistent on having a second term in the White House despite the lawsuits he’s facing.
The National Archives sent a referral to the FBI stating that 15 boxes recovered from Trump’s Florida home in January 2022 contained dozens of documents with classified markings.
It is part of an investigation that has led to 37 counts of mishandling classified documents, including retaining classified information and obstructing justice. Trump’s trial will kick off on May 20, 2024. His team has been working hard to postpone it until after next November’s presidential election, all to no avail.
POLL — Should the U.S. Government Create a Path to Citizenship for Undocumented Immigrants?
Melania’s appearance at Friday’s ceremony was a rare treat. The former first lady has said she supports her husband’s campaign. However, she is yet to join him on the campaign trail as he seeks the 2024 GOP nomination.
Before this public appearance, she was last seen at the memorial service for Rosalynn Carter in Georgia. That was a little over two weeks ago.
On Friday, she spoke about how becoming a U.S. citizen comes with loads of responsibility.
“It means actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom,” she stated. “It is a life-altering experience that takes time, determination, and sometimes even tremendous strength.”
ALSO READ: Some Counties in Chicago Are Now Turning Away Asylum Seekers
In his latest campaign for the presidency, Trump has promised a return to hard-line immigration policies if he wins the 2024 election.
He also wants to revive and expand his controversial travel ban, which initially targeted seven Muslim-majority countries. And begin new “ideological screening” for all immigrants.
Trump is also promising to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship on his first day in office. This means only children with at least one U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident parent are eligible for benefits.
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