From Undocumented Child to Citizenship Push
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty in Trinidad and Tobago, has said she was brought to the United States at age 5 without legal status and raised in Queens, New York. In 2018 she publicly reflected on her experience as an immigrant child while condemning images of migrant family separations, saying she could imagine herself in those children’s position. Over the years she regularized her status and became a lawful permanent resident but did not complete the final step to citizenship. After months of controversy and online petitions calling for her deportation, she now says her naturalization paperwork is being finalized and credits President Donald Trump for helping move the process forward.
Trump Event and Gold Card Reveal
Minaj recently appeared in Washington, D.C., alongside President Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent at an event promoting “Trump accounts,” a new tax-advantaged savings program for children created under a major tax and spending law. These accounts operate like child-focused retirement-style vehicles, seeded with government funds and open to additional pre-tax contributions from families until the child reaches adulthood. At the event, Trump introduced Minaj as one of the most successful female rappers ever and praised her for donating large sums to help fund accounts for children. Afterward, Minaj shared an image of a metallic Trump “gold card” on social media, coupling it with posts declaring that her citizenship paperwork was being finalized “as per” the president and calling herself “CitizenNIKA.”
What the Trump Gold Card Program Is
The Trump gold card is a fast-track immigration program launched in Trump’s second term that allows wealthy foreign nationals to accelerate their path to U.S. permanent residency by making very large payments directly to the U.S. government. It is built on top of existing employment-based green card categories, especially for individuals with extraordinary ability or whose work is deemed in the national interest. Rather than creating a new immigration status, the gold card moves qualifying applicants to the front of the processing line in exchange for a seven-figure contribution and an additional government fee. Higher tiers of the program require even larger payments and may be marketed with added tax and mobility perks for frequent U.S. visitors.
How the Gold Card Fits into the Immigration System
Despite its branding, the gold card does not grant instant U.S. citizenship. Recipients still must qualify under existing immigration rules, pass background and security checks, and demonstrate that their money comes from lawful sources. Once approved, the program is used to secure lawful permanent resident status much more quickly than through standard channels. After obtaining a green card, the person must still meet the usual residency and eligibility requirements—typically several years of permanent residence—before applying to naturalize as a citizen.
Political Pivot and Fan Reaction
Publicly, Minaj’s embrace of Trump represents a clear pivot from earlier years, when she criticized his administration’s immigration enforcement while still acknowledging his appeal as a media figure. More recently she has taken the stage at conservative conferences, praised Trump’s positions on religious freedom and foreign persecution of Christians, and attacked Democratic leaders over policies on gender and transgender youth. This has split her fan base and the wider public conversation around her. Some long-time supporters feel betrayed and have organized petitions and social campaigns against her, while others remain loyal or have welcomed her as a rare high-profile entertainer openly endorsing Trump.
Husband’s Criminal History
Minaj is married to Kenneth Petty, who was convicted in New York in 1995 of first-degree attempted rape of a 16-year-old girl, serving several years in prison and being required to register as a sex offender. After the couple moved to California, Petty failed to register as a sex offender in the state and later pleaded guilty to a federal charge related to that failure. In 2022 he was sentenced to three years’ probation, one year of home confinement and ordered to pay a fine, a sentence that drew renewed attention to Minaj’s choice of partner. Petty and Minaj have also faced a civil lawsuit from Petty’s accuser, who alleged harassment and intimidation attempts aimed at pressuring her to recant her original rape allegations.
Brother’s Conviction
Minaj’s older brother, Jelani Maraj, has also been at the center of serious criminal proceedings. In 2017 he was convicted in New York of predatory sexual assault and child endangerment for repeatedly raping his then 11-year-old stepdaughter at his Long Island home. The case involved testimony from the victim and her younger brother, along with DNA evidence that prosecutors said linked Maraj to the assaults. In 2020, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison, a punishment that underscored the severity of the crimes and has been frequently referenced in discussions of Minaj’s family background.