Melania Trump seen at National Archives in rare public appearance
Melania Trump: A First Lady Who Believes in Legal Immigration
Leave it to Melania Trump to remind us all what a first lady who believes in legal immigration looks like.
In a rare post-White House appearance, the wife of the former president spoke at length about her personal journey to American citizenship, calling the pathway “arduous” during remarks at a National Archives naturalization ceremony in Washington, D.C.
According to CNN, 25 immigrants were sworn in as U.S. citizens at the event attended by the Slovenian-born former first lady.
“My personal experience of traversing the challenges of the immigration process opened my eyes to the harsh realities people face, including you, who try to become U.S. citizens,” Trump said.
CNN said that Melania, who married the future president in 2005 and became a U.S. citizen in 2006, “described the difficulties of trying to familiarize herself with immigration law, conducting research and painstakingly gathering information and paperwork.”
“The pathway to citizenship is arduous,” she said during her remarks “My life turned into labyrinth of organizing paperwork.”
However, she added that the work was worth it, saying she felt a “tremendous sense of pride and belonging” after the swearing-in was done.
“For me, reaching the milestone of American citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty,” she said, according to The Hill.
“At that exact moment, I forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether I would be able to live in the United States. I hope you’re blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now.
“Becoming an American citizen comes with responsibility, it means actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom,” she told the newly minted American citizens.
“It also means leading by example and contributing to our society. It is a life-altering experience that takes time, determination and sometimes, even tremendous strength.
“Be proud of yourself, stand your ground, and embrace opportunities that lie ahead,” Melania added, imploring them: “You are American! Be a beacon of inspiration for your children and those who follow in your footsteps.”
First Lady @MELANIATRUMP welcomes new American citizens in Washington DC with powerful speech about becoming an American:
“Be proud of yourself, stand your ground, and embrace opportunities that lie ahead. You are American! Be a beacon of inspiration for your children and those… pic.twitter.com/5b3ONea9WS
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) December 15, 2023
A Contrast in Approaches
Now, let’s leave aside the fact that Melania is appearing at the National Archives while former President Trump — the current front-runner for the 2024 GOP nomination — is fighting a court case based, in part, over his contretemps with the National Archives regarding the retaining of classified documents. The former president faces 37 charges related to that kerfuffle, making it an odd place for Melania to show up.
Instead, consider the message this sends compared with what the current first lady Jill Biden (Sorry, Dr. Jill Biden. Wherever are my manners?) has been sending on immigration.
In 2021, the Washington Free Beacon reported, Dr. Jill “promoted a private school run by a Democratic donor that advises illegal immigrants on how to avoid arrest.”
The first lady, also a teacher, paid a visit to El Centro Academy in Kansas City, Kansas, an institution that “has published a series of videos that instruct illegal immigrants on how to avoid arrest from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
“One video, for example, advises viewers to ignore ICE agents altogether during an interaction and contact ‘a member of the community who does have status,’” the report noted, adding the president of the school “also worked with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce to create ‘safe spaces’ for immigrants by prohibiting local cooperation with ICE to ‘protect residents from deportation.’”
Earlier this year, meanwhile, Dr. Jill invited so-called “dreamer” activist Mitzi Colin Lopez to be her guest at the State of the Union address.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that, after Colin Lopez “received protection from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program” and graduated from college, she became an immigration activist.
The contrast couldn’t be starker and highlights an important difference between Republicans and Democrats: The GOP isn’t anti-immigrant, it’s anti-lawlessness.
The reason we have a border crisis under the Biden administration is hardly an accident. At every turn, the people associated with it have praised illegal immigration, saying there’s hardly a difference between those who undergo the “arduous” process to obtain citizenship and those who skip the line by breaking America’s laws and subsequently get rewarded by Democrats for nakedly cynical reasons.
It’s a contrast that takes a visit by the
Immigrants to not open doors to ICE without a warrant and to not answer any questions without an attorney present,” the Washington Free Beacon reported. This stark difference in approach to immigration is indicative of the broader contrast between Melania Trump and Jill Biden. While Melania has consistently emphasized the importance of legal immigration and the arduous process she went through to become a U.S. citizen, Jill Biden has taken actions that can be seen as promoting illegal immigration and providing guidance on how to evade law enforcement. Melania’s speech at the naturalization ceremony reminds us of the significance of American citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. She encouraged the newly minted citizens to be proud of themselves, stand their ground, and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. Her message was one of inspiration and optimism, urging them to be beacons of inspiration for their children and future generations. In contrast, Jill Biden’s visit to a school that advises illegal immigrants on how to avoid arrest sends a conflicting message. It raises questions about the administration’s stance on immigration and the rule of law. By promoting an institution that provides guidance on evading law enforcement, it undermines the integrity of legal processes and sends a message that breaking the law can be justified. Melania’s belief in the importance of legal immigration is rooted in her personal experience. She understands the challenges and complexities of the immigration process, and she has embraced her American citizenship with a sense of pride and belonging. Her journey serves as a reminder that legal immigration is not just a bureaucratic process, but a life-altering experience that requires time, determination, and strength. As the wife of a former president, Melania Trump continues to use her platform to advocate for legal immigration and support initiatives that uphold the rule of law. Her presence at the National Archives and her powerful speech at the naturalization ceremony reaffirm her commitment to the principles of legal immigration and the values of the United States. In a time when immigration issues are at the forefront of political debates, Melania Trump stands as a symbol of the importance of following the law and respecting the sovereignty of a nation. Her message resonates with those who believe in the power of legal immigration to enrich societies and promote cultural diversity. As we reflect on Melania’s speech, let us remember the words she spoke: “Be proud of yourself, stand your ground, and embrace opportunities that lie ahead. You are American! Be a beacon of inspiration for your children and those who follow in your footsteps.” These words encapsulate her belief in the American dream and the value of legal immigration. Let us heed her message and strive to create a society that upholds the ideals of liberty, justice, and legal immigration. What message does Jill Biden’s visit to a school advising illegal immigrants on avoiding arrest send about the administration’s stance on immigration and the rule of law?
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