Melania Trump came to the U.S. in the late ’90s to pursue modeling, eventually gaining legal status with a rare EB-1 visa—often called the “Einstein visa”—in 2001. It’s typically reserved for people with extraordinary abilities like Nobel Prize winners, Olympic athletes, or world-renowned artists.

Her immigration journey is now under scrutiny, especially as former President Donald Trump pushes stricter immigration policies and mass deportation plans. Some critics are questioning whether Melania truly qualified for the elite visa category.

Democratic Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett recently challenged the fairness of the process. “Last time I checked, the First Lady didn’t have a Nobel or a Pulitzer,” she said during a House Judiciary hearing, accusing Republicans of hypocrisy in how they treat immigration cases tied to the Trump family. Crockett questioned why Melania’s visa hasn’t received more Republican criticism if fairness and integrity are really the goal.

While Melania hasn’t commented publicly, her defenders say the attacks are politically motivated and rooted in jealousy. Online, the debate has become heated, with some users defending her modeling success and others echoing Crockett’s concerns.

Earlier this year, Rep. Maxine Waters also raised questions about Melania’s immigration story, even suggesting Trump should examine his own household if he’s serious about rooting out undocumented immigrants.

Though Melania’s legal status isn’t in doubt, her unique visa—and how she obtained it—continues to stir political and public debate.