Melania Trump's parents become U.S. citizens, taking their oaths in a private ceremony

Viktor Knavs and Amalija Knavs, parents of the first lady Melania Trump, arrive at the White House with the first family June 11, 2017 in Washington, DC. Photo: Pool/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, D.C. — First lady Melania Trump's parents are new U.S. citizens, after taking the oath of citizenship in a private ceremony at their attorney's office Thursday.

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Viktor and Amalija Knavs, 73 and 71 years old respectively, obtained their citizenship through a sponsorship by their daughter, according to CNN, in a category of family visas Trump administration officials have called "chain migration" and want to end.

The Knavs are from Slovenia, but were living in the United States for more than a decade before becoming permanent legal residents, CNBC reported, citing the couple's immigration lawyer Michael Wildes.