Melania Trump welcomes new citizens at National Archives ceremony

Former First Lady Melania Trump welcomed newly-sworn American citizens at the National Archives naturalization ceremony (J Scott Applewhite/AP)

In a rare public appearance, former US first lady Melania Trump stressed the importance of “guarding our freedom” and the responsibilities that accompany American citizenship as she spoke at a naturalisation ceremony at the National Archives on Friday.

Born in Slovenia, Melania Trump is the only first lady who is also a naturalised US citizen. She recounted her path to that citizenship, beginning with a worker visa upon arriving in New York City during her career as a model.