Former First Lady Melania Trump’s immigration history has come under renewed attention after questions were raised about the type of U.S. visa she reportedly received in the early 2000s. Specifically, some have questioned how she may have qualified for the EB-1 visa—commonly referred to as the “Einstein visa”—which is typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities.
The topic resurfaced last week during a House Judiciary Committee hearing when Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett asked how Melania qualified for the prestigious visa category. The EB-1 visa is intended for individuals who have demonstrated sustained national or international acclaim in fields such as science, arts, education, business, or athletics. Examples often cited by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services include Nobel Prize winners, Olympic medalists, and highly acclaimed artists or executives.
In 2001, Melania—then a working model—reportedly obtained the EB-1 visa. She had been in the United States since the late 1990s, originally on a tourist visa and later through various work visas. Modeling agent Paolo Zampolli, who helped bring her to the U.S., also introduced her to Donald Trump during that period.
While the visa type she received has sparked debate, fact-checking organization Snopes recently reviewed the case and concluded that it’s not entirely unusual for a model to qualify under certain conditions.
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