Immigration experts told New York Times, it would have been the most direct, and most likely, way for the first lady’s parents, formerly of Slovenia, to get their green cards. “It’s a privilege to help this family, but I have to respect their privacy as well,” Wildes told New York Times in a brief interview. Under family-based immigration, adult US citizens can petition for residency for their parents, adult married children and siblings. In the Knavses’ case, Melania, who became a citizen in 2006 after obtaining a green card, would have sponsored them. NOT ACCEPTABLE!”About seven million of the 11 million immigrants who obtained green cards between 2007 and 2016 did so through familial relations, according to data from the Department of Homeland Security.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 22, 2018 13:41 UTC