Melania Trump welcomes migrants as new citizens during National Archives naturalization ceremony

Former first lady Melania Trump on attended a naturalization ceremony at the Washington, D.C. based National Archives Friday, and spoke to a some of America’s newest sworn in citizens.

Such ceremonies occur after an immigrant submits an N-400 Application for Naturalization and take an Oath of Allegiance to the United States.

Her appearance was one of the first since she left the White House in January 2021 with her husband, President Donald Trump.

“How fortunate to be with the naturalizing individuals and their families as they recite the Oath of Allegiance and become Americans before our great nation’s founding documents,” she said, according to a report published by the New York Post.

“It means actively participating in the democratic process and guarding our freedom,” she said of the significance of citizenship. “It is a life-altering experience that takes time, determination and sometimes even tremendous strength.”

Melania is a naturalized citizen, herself. Hailing from Eastern Europe, she is the second foreign-born first lady, after John Quincy Adams' wife, Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams who was born in London.

The former first lady has shied away from the spotlight on and off the campaign trail since leaving the White House and has rarely made public appearances.

Last month she appeared at the Georgia funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter.

Before marrying Trump, then Melania Knauss was a European model who started working with an agency in Milan in 1988. She moved to New York City in 1996 to continue career as a model.

Melania met Trump at a Manhattan party in 1998 and the couple began dating as he was finishing his divorce with former flight attendant Marla Maples.

While dating the future president she continued to model for In Style Weddings, New York magazine, Avenue, and Vanity Fair Spain.

In 2000, when Trump briefly campaigned as the Reform Party presidential candidate, and she was asked what she would like First Lady should he become president, she gave a couple of examples.

‘I would be very traditional like Betty Ford or Jackie Kennedy,” she said. The New York Times story by Joyce Wadler was titled, “A supermodel in the White House?”

Seventeen years later, Wadler’s prophecy came true and Melania became the First Lady of the United States.