Former modeling agent says he got Melania Trump's visa

In an interview with The Associated Press, Paolo Zampolli offered the most detailed description yet of how the wife of the Republican presidential nominee came into the country.

The campaign also declined to discuss Mrs. Trump's immigration history in detail or provide copies of any paperwork that would put the issue to rest.

Donald Trump has made illegal immigration a signature plank in his campaign platform, and his wife has often cited her path to U.S. citizenship in defense of his hard line, saying she came to the U.S. legally and other aspiring Americans should follow her example.

People who hold visitor visas would be required to leave the country on or before the end date of their authorized stay.

In her statement, Mrs. Trump did not address reports in Bloomberg News, Politico and The Washington Post speculating whether nude photos taken of her in New York in 1995 were evidence that she had worked illegally in the U.S. before securing the appropriate visa.

U.S. law allows a person to use a visitor visa to conduct temporary business for a foreign company or explore a future career opportunities such as visiting modeling agencies or meeting with potential clients.