The parents of United States First lady Melania Trump officially became American citizens on Thursday.
Viktor and Amalija Knavs took the citizenship oath on August 9, their lawyer, Michael Wildes, confirmed to Fox News.
The Knavs had been living in the US as lawful permanent residents.
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The couple was escorted to and from the Manhattan ceremony by Homeland Security police.
Melania Trump was raised in Slovenia by her parents, while the country was still under Communist rule.
Viktor Knavs, 74, was a car dealer, and Amalija Knavs, 73, was employed in a textile factory.
The couple made headlines in May after they were seen visiting a federal building in New York City with their immigration attorney.
Stephanie Grisham, the first lady’s communications director, said that because the Knavses are not part of the administration, “I’m not commenting on them.”
Ms. Grisham directed further questions concerning the president’s views on immigration — and the immigration status of his in-laws — to the West Wing, which did not immediately respond to emails and phone calls requesting comment.
Melania Trump had sponsored her parents for their green cards, Mr. Wildes said in describing the process by which the Knavses had become United States citizens. “Once they had the green card, they then applied for citizenship when they were eligible,” he said.
Even as his in-laws were going through the process, Mr. Trump was denouncing it. In November, he tweeted, “CHAIN MIGRATION must end now! Some people come in, and they bring their whole family with them, who can be truly evil. NOT ACCEPTABLE!”
CHAIN MIGRATION must end now! Some people come in, and they bring their whole family with them, who can be truly evil. NOT ACCEPTABLE! pic.twitter.com/PQGeTTdRtX
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2017
