Representative Maxine Waters ignited controversy at an anti-Trump rally in Los Angeles by suggesting First Lady Melania Trump could be deported. The California congresswoman questioned whether Melania was properly documented and raised similar concerns about the immigration status of her parents, drawing sharp criticism for her inflammatory remarks.
Melania Trump’s Immigration History
Contrary to Waters’ insinuations, public records indicate Melania Trump, originally from Slovenia, first arrived in the United States in 1996 on a visitor visa. She subsequently worked under legal work visas before obtaining a green card in 2001 through the EB-1 program, often referred to as the “Einstein visa” for individuals with “extraordinary ability.” Melania Trump completed her path to citizenship in 2006, becoming a naturalized American citizen a full decade before her husband would become president. Her immigration status has previously been scrutinized during the Trump presidency, particularly in light of the administration’s hardline stance on immigration enforcement.
Maxine Waters is back. She's now calling for Melania Trump to be deported.
Melania Trump is an American citizen.
Earlier, she called for Elon Musk to be deported. Also, an American citizen.
Democrats are insufferable. No one can be this dumb.pic.twitter.com/TWOUJd7PsO
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) March 25, 2025
“When he [Trump] talks about birthright, and he’s going to undo the fact that the Constitution allows those who are born here, even if the parents are undocumented, they have a right to stay in America,” Waters said at the rally. Her comments appear aimed at highlighting perceived hypocrisy in the Trump administration’s immigration policies while questioning the First Lady’s immigration journey.
Waters’ Additional Controversial Claims
The California representative didn’t limit her controversial statements to immigration matters, also suggesting that tech mogul Elon Musk may have manipulated election results. “We don’t know everything that Elon Musk has done with his high-technology a**,” Waters stated, alluding to conspiracy theories circulating among some on the left regarding Musk’s Starlink satellite network and potential election interference.
At some point, the many crimes of Maxine Waters will catch up to her https://t.co/qNTUhsAUlJ
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 26, 2025
Waters further escalated her rhetoric by accusing President Trump of deliberately working to incite conflict in America. “I believe Trump expects violence. I believe he expects confrontation. I believe he’s working toward a civil war,” she claimed during the same rally appearance, adding to a pattern of inflammatory statements that critics say undermine political discourse.
The congresswoman’s comments reflect the deeply polarized nature of American politics, where immigration remains one of the most divisive issues. Waters, who has represented California’s 43rd congressional district since 1991, has become known for her outspoken criticism of Republican policies and the Trump administration in particular.