Jasmine Crockett blasts Melania Trump over controversial visa status

In the United States, a significant discussion took place during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on June 25, 2025, where Texas Representative Jasmine Crockett raised pointed criticisms against First Lady Melania Trump regarding her immigration status. The hearing, titled "Restoring Integrity and Security to the Visa Process," intended to address immigration policies and the integrity of the U.S. visa system amidst ongoing controversies surrounding the Trump administration's immigration enforcement actions. Crockett seized the opportunity to scrutinize the criteria under which Melania obtained her EB-1 visa, commonly referred to as the 'Einstein visa.' This visa category is designated for individuals possessing extraordinary abilities in various fields, including sciences, arts, and business, typically requiring significant achievements like awards or recognitions. Crockett highlighted the discrepancies related to Melania's qualifications, pointing out that the First Lady does not possess accolades typically associated with the extraordinary ability requirement. As a former model, Crockett argued that Melania does not belong in the same category as renowned supermodels such as Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell. Contrastingly, she emphasized that Melania's journey to the U.S. was facilitated by her marriage to Donald Trump, raising questions about the fairness and integrity of the visa process. Throughout her remarks, Crockett maintained that the scrutiny applied to other immigrants did not seem to extend to the First Lady's circumstances, particularly during a time when the administration was enacting stringent immigration crackdowns. The exchange drew a notable response from libertarian analyst Alex Nowrasteh, who humorously acknowledged Melania's marriage to Donald Trump as an accomplishment, further fueling the debate on the validity of her visa status. This public confrontation not only highlighted the complexities of immigration policy but also served to underline perceived inconsistencies within the Trump administration's approach to immigration, particularly concerning members of Trump's family. As the hearing progressed, the tension surrounding immigration issues within the current political climate became more pronounced, drawing attention to the systematic review of visa eligibility that continued to be a focal point of national policy discussions.