During a House hearing on Wednesday, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas raised pointed questions about former First Lady Melania Trump’s immigration status, specifically her receipt of an EB-1 visa — often referred to as the “Einstein visa.”
Crockett highlighted that the EB-1 visa is typically reserved for individuals with extraordinary abilities or achievements, such as Nobel laureates, Pulitzer Prize winners, Olympic medalists, or those with sustained international acclaim in fields like science, business, education, or the arts.
She noted that while Melania Trump had a successful modeling career, it did not appear to reach the level typically associated with recipients of the prestigious visa. “We’re not talking Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell, or Cindy Crawford here,” Crockett said. “And last I checked, there were no Nobels or Pulitzers in her portfolio. The math ain’t mathin’, y’all.”
According to a 2001 report by The Washington Post, Melania received a green card through the EB-1 program, a pathway usually taken by top-tier academics or executives with global recognition. Crockett’s remarks underscored her skepticism that Melania’s qualifications met the visa’s high bar.
Her comments come at a time when immigration policy is once again at the center of national debate. The Trump administration has ramped up efforts to tighten immigration controls, including expanded vetting processes and a renewed focus on immigrants’ online activity as a matter of national security.
Earlier this month, the State Department announced that foreign student visa applicants must now submit social media account information as part of the screening process, a move critics say could deter free expression.
Crockett’s sharp critique tapped into broader frustrations among Democrats who view Trump’s immigration policies as hypocritical — targeting others for stricter scrutiny while allegedly bending the rules for those close to him. The hearing added yet another layer of tension to an already heated national conversation around who gets to come to America, under what standards, and who decides.
