'Not everybody could marry Donald Trump': What's the row over Melania Trump's Einstein Visa?

The Einstein visa, officially known as the EB-1 visa (Employment-Based First Preference visa), is a US immigrant visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in fields like science, arts, education, business, or athletics. It’s for those who demonstrate sustained national or international acclaim and whose achievements are recognized through extensive documentation. First Lady Melania Trump was on an Einstein visa in the US before she became a citizen. Democratic representative Jasmine Crockett raised the issue and asked how Melania Trump, being a model, was granted this category of visa.

'Not everybody could marry Donald Trump'

Speaking during a House Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday, Crockett called out Republican's double standard on visas. "Why aren't we talking about integrity when it comes to the president's family's visas?" she asked.


"Let me tell you how you receive an Einstein visa," Crockett said. "You're supposed to have some sort of significant achievement, like being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize or a Pulitzer; being an Olympic medalist; or having other sustained extraordinary abilities and success in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. Last time I checked the first lady had none of those accolades under her belt."

"Melania, the first lady, a model—and when I say model I'm not talking about Tyra Banks, Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell-level—applied for and was given an EB1 visa."

"It doesn't take an Einstein to see that the math ain't mathin' here," Crockett said.

The Cato Institute's Alex Nowrasteh, who also testified during the House hearing, responded and said not everybody could marry Donald Trump. "And I think that's quite an achievement, so I think she deserves credit for that. Nobody up here could have done it!" Alex said.

"You sure are right, I couldn't have done it," Crockett said.

Born in Slovenia, Melania Trump came to the US in 1996 on a tourist visa which converted into a work visa as she started started pursuing her modeling career in New York. She received her Einstein Visa in 2001, four years before their marriage in 2005.