Melania Trump’s visa under scrutiny again after congresswoman’s comments
A recent debate over Melania Trump’s eligibility for the prestigious EB-1 “Einstein visa” has reignited after a lawmaker questioned her qualifications—prompting fact-checkers to weigh in.
Fact-checking site Snopes reviewed the first lady’s path to permanent residency and concluded that her case, while unusual, wasn’t necessarily improper.
Melania Trump’s immigration journey is once again making headlines. Texas Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat, recently raised concerns during a House Judiciary Committee hearing about how the first lady obtained an EB-1 visa—typically reserved for individuals with “extraordinary ability” in their field.
“Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa,” Crockett said. “You’re supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like a Nobel Peace Prize or being an Olympic medalist. Last time I checked, the first lady had none of those accolades.”
She questioned whether Melania’s modeling career justified the same visa given to top scientists and award-winning artists. Crockett’s remarks sparked backlash, with critics accusing her of singling out the first lady unfairly.
What is the EB-1 visa, and could Melania have qualified?
The EB-1 visa—often dubbed the “Einstein visa”—is granted to individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Applicants must meet rigorous criteria and provide evidence of major achievements.
Melania, who moved to the U.S. in 1996 as a model, received her EB-1 visa in 2001. Though the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services lists winners of Oscars, Pulitzers, and Olympic medals as typical examples, Snopes found that the bar may be broader than assumed.
Fact-checkers say models can qualify for the visa
Snopes noted that Melania could have qualified under the EB-1’s first category—people with extraordinary ability—based on her modeling career. While it’s unclear if she definitely received the EB-1 (as opposed to a similar O-1 visa), Snopes found evidence that other models had been granted these visas.
Examples include Shera Bechard, a Playboy model, and various entertainers like comedian John Oliver, who came to the U.S. on an O-1 visa. These cases demonstrate that performers and models with significant success can, in some instances, meet the visa’s standards.
“In sum, it is not improbable that a working model might have received the right to permanently reside in the U.S. based on her extraordinary abilities,” Snopes concluded.
While Melania Trump’s modeling career might not rival household names like Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell, the standards for “extraordinary ability” are subject to interpretation and can vary based on available evidence and legal arguments.
The controversy underscores how immigration policy and political scrutiny often intersect—especially when tied to high-profile public figures. Whether Melania’s visa was unusual or not, it appears to have fallen within the legal scope of what’s possible under U.S. immigration law.
