Melania Trump dismisses ‘inaccurate’ media reports about her immigration status
The wife of the Republican candidate became a US citizen in 2006
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Melania Trump - she of Slovenia, a glamorous past and a husband running for the White House - has denied allegations that she violated visa rules when she entered the United States.
The 46-year-old posted a message on social media in which she alleged she had been the victim of “inaccurate reporting” about the circumstances surrounding her arrival in the US as a young model 20 years ago.
“In recent days there has been a lot of inaccurate reporting and misinformation concerning my immigration status back in 1996,” said Ms Trump.
“Let me set the record straight: I have at all times been in full compliance with the immigration laws of this country. Period.”
The wife of the Republican candidate has been at the centre of controversy since the publication last weekend of naked photographs of her that were shot in New York in 1995. Politico said there were inconsistencies with her account of her arrival in America and the visa she came here on.
Mr Trump has taken a hard line on illegal immigration in his campaign.
So far, the Trump campaign has refused to say exactly which visas Ms Trump had, and when she had them.
The owner of one modelling agency, Paolo Zampolli, has said he sponsored Ms Trump for an H1B work visa in 1996.
She has said that she had to go back to her native Slovenia every few months to renew her permit - something that is only generally necessary for tourist and business visas that do not permit work.
In her Twitter message, Ms Trump added that any suggestion that she had acted illegally was “simply untrue”.
“In July 2006, I proudly became a US citizen,” she said. “Over the past 20 years, I have been fortunate to live, work and raise a family in this great nation and I share my husband's love for our country.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments