Melania Trump welcomes new US immigrants in unlikely public appearance

Former first lady Melania Trump made an uncommon public appearance by giving a statement at a naturalisation ceremony where 25 immigrants were sworn in as citizens of the United States on Friday.

The former model, who was born in Slovenia and obtained US citizenship in 2006, has not been seen in public much since the Trump administration. However, she did show up for the former first lady Rosalynn Carter's memorial service in Atlanta last month, reported AFP.

Her choice of attending the event drew criticism in Washington, DC, as Donald Trump, who is vying for retaken office in the next election, has built much of his political career on his severe stance on immigration.

Before Melania Trump gave her speech on Friday, her office released a statement stating that "as a naturalised citizen herself, she looks forward to telling her story and being part of this momentous occasion for these new American citizens."

CNN stated that Melania Trump's first lady, US archivist Colleen Shogan, who worked at the White House Historical Association, had invited her to speak at the ceremony at the National Archives in Washington.

Melania has mostly avoided the spotlight as the former president has been in court several times in recent months to defend himself against lawsuits and to intensify his campaign for the 2024 presidential race.

She made a strong case for racial peace in a well-received 2020 speech at the Republican Party convention, recalling her own immigration experience and speaking empathetically about coronavirus victims.