Details About Melania Trump's Visa Sparked Mixed Reactions Online

The U.S. First Lady's immigration history is drawing renewed public interest, following earlier reporting on the visa she used to obtain legal residency in the country.

Melania Trump received a U.S. green card in 2001 through a selective immigration program for individuals with exceptional achievements, drawing new scrutiny to how such visas are awarded.

The renewed attention follows reporting by The Washington Post. In 2018, the newspaper revealed that Trump, then a Slovenian-born model, obtained permanent residency through the EB-1 visa, commonly known as the "Einstein visa."

The program is intended for individuals with "extraordinary ability" in fields such as science, the arts, education, business, or athletics. Applicants must show sustained national or international recognition.

According to government data cited by the Post, only five people from Slovenia received EB-1 green cards in 2001. That year, of more than one million green cards issued, just 3,376 — or less than one percent — were approved under the EB-1 category.

Trump's green card eventually led to U.S. citizenship and allowed her to sponsor her parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, for legal residency. The same publication also reported that the couple was close to obtaining citizenship.

The resurfaced details have triggered mixed reactions from social media users. One commenter said, "Even televised biographies on her talk about how she overstayed her visa. 😂🫡" Another wrote, "Yup,funny how easy she got citizen ship [sic] and her parents."

Others defended her, stating, "Whether immigrant or not she came into the the states the right way and is here legally smh [sic]." Another added, "I saw where she got special treatment. She has a 'genius passport '. I understand the is for special people [sic]."