Former First Lady Melania Trump is reportedly “upset” and considering legal action after her mother, Amalija Knavs, had her immigration records publicly released. The documents, brought to light due to a lawsuit involving Prince Harry’s visa details, raise concerns over potential security risks for Trump’s family, according to Knavs’ lawyer, Michael Wildes.
The conservative Heritage Foundation filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to disclose immigration records for Prince Harry, citing concerns around his entry into the U.S. due to past drug use detailed in his memoir, Spare. In response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the Foundation, DHS released about 165 pages related to Amalija Knavs’ immigration status, including sensitive details such as her Slovenian passport, naturalization certificate, and past addresses.
Wildes, speaking to Newsweek, expressed frustration, stating, “The U.S. government has once again not paid adequate attention to the security and safety of a former First Family.” He criticized the release, calling it “mean-spirited” and suggesting it could endanger Knavs, Melania Trump, and their family. Wildes described the incident as a “violation” of privacy, which he believes should have been protected more rigorously.
The released documents contain extensive personal information, including Knavs’ medical details and residential history. DHS disclosed these records following only an 11-day review period, leading Wildes to question the Department’s adherence to confidentiality standards, saying, “How could the DOJ and Secret Service allow this breach?”
The Heritage Foundation’s original case seeks to hold Prince Harry accountable for what they argue is “favorable treatment” in his immigration process despite drug admissions in Spare. The think-tank claims the public deserves transparency regarding Harry’s entry and stay in the U.S. as a prominent foreign national. Although the court upheld DHS’s right to deny the request for Harry’s files, Knavs’ records were released despite their sensitive nature.
