Maxine Waters Calls for Investigation into Melania Trump’s Immigration Status, Questions Whether Her Parents Were Documented
Congresswoman Maxine Waters is demanding an official investigation into former First Lady Melania Trump’s immigration status, raising concerns about whether her parents were properly documented when they obtained U.S. citizenship. The call for scrutiny comes amid ongoing debates about immigration policies and the pathways to citizenship for family members of public figures.
Waters’ Concerns
In a recent statement, Waters questioned whether Melania Trump, who was born in Slovenia, followed the proper legal process to become a U.S. citizen and whether her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, were granted citizenship through what is commonly referred to as “chain migration.”
“We need transparency on this issue,” Waters said. “Donald Trump has spent years attacking immigrants and pushing for stricter policies, yet we have serious questions about how his own in-laws became U.S. citizens. Were the rules bent in their favor? Were they even documented properly?”
Background on Melania Trump’s Immigration Journey
Melania Trump became a U.S. citizen in 2006 after arriving in the country on a special visa designated for individuals with ‘extraordinary ability’ in their field. Her parents later became U.S. citizens in 2018 through a process that grants green cards to parents of adult U.S. citizens—one that Trump himself has criticized as “chain migration.”
Political and Public Reactions
Waters’ request for an investigation has ignited a heated debate. Supporters argue that it is fair to examine whether Trump’s family benefited from the same immigration policies that he sought to restrict during his presidency. Others, particularly conservative lawmakers and Trump allies, have dismissed the move as a politically motivated attack.
“This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to target the Trump family,” said a spokesperson for the former First Lady. “Melania Trump followed all legal procedures, and her parents became U.S. citizens through a lawful process. These baseless accusations are just another example of political harassment.”
What Comes Next?
While it is unclear whether an official investigation will take place, Waters’ comments have already fueled renewed scrutiny over the former First Lady’s immigration history. With immigration remaining a central issue in U.S. politics, this controversy is likely to be a talking point in upcoming debates as lawmakers continue to battle over border security and legal pathways to citizenship.
As discussions unfold, all eyes will be on whether any formal action is taken—or if this will remain a political flashpoint in an already divided landscape.