The Trump family, particularly Melania Trump, is facing a new predicament as the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may have made a massive mistake. Reportedly, the DHS has released Melania’s mother Amalija Knavs’ sensitive immigration documents. She passed away earlier this year.
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It is understood that these files were made public during the Heritage Foundation's legal pursuit to access Prince Harry's immigration records. Knavs' lawyer, Michael Wildes, claims releasing her information was ‘mean-spirited.’
Wildes told Newsweek:
The U.S. government has once again not paid adequate attention to the security and safety of a former First Family. We find it mean-spirited and insensitive to drag a totally innocent party into whatever issue they have with Prince Harry.
Amalija Knavs’ documents released
The Heritage Foundation initially submitted a Freedom of Information Act request for Prince Harry’s US visa records, suggesting his past admissions of drug use should have impacted his immigration status. The DHS denied this request and stated that releasing Harry’s documents would breach his privacy.
In an attempt to bolster their legal case, Heritage subsequently pursued the immigration records of Amalija Knavs to demonstrate DHS’s inconsistency in handling sensitive information requests. While Harry’s records remained sealed, DHS released Knavs’ file within 11 days. It remains unknown why the two requests were treated differently, however Newsweek speculates that it could be because Knavs has passed away.
The 166-page file includes Knavs' naturalisation certificate, passport details, medical history, and multiple US addresses. The files also contain photocopies of her permanent resident card and Slovenian passport, along with a statement confirming that she has no criminal record in her home country.
Knavs' physical description is also listed in the documents, along with her her addresses which includes Trump Tower, in New York, and Mar-a-Lago, Trump's resort in Palm Beach, Florida.
After DHS’ decision, Melania is understood to be upset. Wildes told MailOnline:
Mrs. Trump is rightfully upset. She will be looking to explore retaliatory options to protect her family.
Why is the release of documents a potential threat to Melania Trump?
With the release of these immigration documents, Melania now faces additional security concerns. Wildes warned that the records contain extremely personal data that could make her a target. He explained:
This egregious and abhorrent violation of Ms. Knavs's immigration file – including highly sensitive medical information and addresses that impact her family's security- is an outlandish affront, not just to Ms. Knavs, and her family including former First Lady Melania Trump, but also to the very notions of confidentiality and privacy.
The documents include Knavs’ immunisation history, which lists vaccines for diseases like chickenpox, as well as travel logs documenting multiple visits to Slovenia and other international destinations.
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Sources used:
Newsweek: Melania Trump 'Upset' After Mother's Visa Details Released
Newsweek: Melania Trump's Mom's Papers Released in Prince Harry Case
MailOnline: Melania Trump fumes after late mother's personal information and immigration records are released
