Just in a
rare public appearance
by former first lady Melania Trump.
You just missed her.
That's her walking out that door
right there.
She literally just left
so rare she's gone already.
The location of it
all, though, was seconds ago.
Notable scene as Kristen Holmes
following this for us.
So where was she and what was she doing?
Well, this is actually
an uncharacteristically personal speech
from the former first lady.
We never see her.
I've been covering Donald Trump
now this entire campaign.
She's only been out once with him.
And it was when he made his announcement.
She's often behind closed doors.
And she talked about her
immigration process
and her path
to becoming a naturalized citizen.
Take a listen to some of what she said
about our lives.
We crossed thresholds
and also what obstacles often
stand in the way of our goals.
Would you put us revere as we understand
that conquering them
will provide great access
to personal development, fulfillment
and even eventually self-actualization
There was also something else
she said that I found to be remarkable.
And this was actually said
in my personal experience
of traversing the challenges
of the immigration process.
Opened my eyes
to the harsh
realities people face,
including you,
for trying to become a U.S. citizen.
And then, of course,
there are the new nuances of understand
United States immigration laws.
The reason why this is so remarkable
is because it comes at a time
that former President
Trump is pledging
that if reelected,
he would make that process even harder.
And you could actually hear her
walk through all of the hoops
that she had to jump through
and how she was lucky
in certain circumstances
to become a naturalized citizen.
So it almost appears in juxtaposition
to what her husband has been saying out
on the campaign trail.
I will note
again, as you mentioned,
the National Archives
does have significance here as well.
Part of the reason that Donald Trump
has been indicted
stemmed from the National Archives,
who asked the Department of Justice
to open an investigation
into Donald Trump's
handling of classified documents
after he left office.
That subsequently led to
an indictment of Donald Trump.
We expect that trial to likely be in May.
But again,
this was a pretty unique experience here.
And listening to her
when you see him on the campaign trail,
that was striking
juxtapositions galore.
One might say Chris at Holmes,
thank you very much.
Please join me in welcoming Mrs.
Melania Trump.
And congratulations to our new citizens
Good morning.
Thank you, Dr.
Shogun, for your introduction
and for your kind
invitation
to celebrate this incredible moment.
Thank you, Judge Gunn, for leading
the oath of Alliance
MacArthur High School.
Students, you are the future leaders
and knowing the meaningful words
of our Constitution's preamble
will empower you in the next chapter
of your life.
It is my privilege
to share this great nation, America,
with you
throughout our lives.
We cross thresholds
and also obstacles often
stand in the way of our goals.
The Person of the Year as we understand
that conquering them
will provide great access
to personal development fulfillment
and even eventually self-actualization.
For me,
reaching the milestone
of American citizenship
marked the sunrise of certainty.
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,
finally, I could plan
all of the aspects of my life.
I recall feeling a tremendous sense
of pride and belonging after I decided
the United States Oath of alliance
as the pathway to citizenship
is arduous.
I was born and raised
in the picturesque country of Slovenia,
where my parents taught me
the importance of a strong work ethic
and pursuing my dreams.
The value of the instilled in me
at an early age
inspired my fashion and modeling career
and brought me to the beautiful cities
of Paris and Milan.
While working internationally
had its share of rules and regulations.
It wasn't
until I moved to New York City in 1996
that this system
truly tested my determination
Upon my arrival, I immediately knew
that I wanted to make the United States
my permanent home
with the goal of securing a worker visa.
I began researching
visiting consulates and embassies
and in compiling the required tracks
of my work experiences
Quickly
my life turned into a labyrinth
of organizing paperwork.
Back then, the convenience of technology
document filing
didn't really exist to the extent
it does today.
Patience and for servants
became my constant companions.
I navigated through this intricate web,
which I'm sure you can all relate to
Even if every time
consuming my dream of becoming a citizen
pushed me
to meticulously
gather
every last piece of information required
ensuring that no detail was overlooked
my personal experience
of travelers
seeing the challenges
of the immigration process opened my eyes
to the harsh realities
people face, including you,
who to try to become U.S.
citizens.
And then, of course,
there are nuances of understanding
the United States immigration laws
and the complex legal language
contained therein
I was very devoted,
but I certainly was not an attorney.
And eventually IT pros provide critical
for me to to retain counsel.
I was fortunate to do so
as ultimately my journey was streamlined
and brought me over the finish line.
As a naturalized citizen,
while challenges were numerous,
there were rewards
were well worth effort.
I applaud you for every step you took,
every obstacle you overcome,
and every sacrifice you made,
It is an honor to stand with you in
these hallowed halls
today, in the presence
of the Declaration of Independence,
the very document
on which our Founding Fathers
carefully compose the words that captured
the ideals
surrounding individual liberty.
And this created a public.
Arguably one of
the most important documents of all time.
Becoming an American
citizen comes with responsibility.
It means actively participating
in the Democratic process
and guarding our freedom.
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.
You are now a part of a nation
with a rich history of progress,
innovation and resilience.
Though you can't
come from 25 different countries,
your dreams and inspirations intertwine
with those who came before you.
Since 1776
and together shape the future of this
extraordinary country,
Be proud of yourself.
Stand your ground and embrace
the opportunities that lie ahead.
You are American.
Be a beacon of inspiration
for your children
and those who follow in your footsteps.
Maya.
A journey
continue to be filled
with endless possibilities
and major contributions
enrich the fabrics of this great nation.
Congratulations again.