Despite Donald Trump’s strong stance on immigration, his business relied heavily on temporary foreign workers in 2023, according to Department of Labor records. Trump properties, including Mar-a-Lago, two golf clubs, and a Virginia winery, sought to hire a total of 170 foreign workers last year, and over the past 16 years, they have looked to employ at least 1,670 temporary foreign workers.
While Trump has often conveyed skepticism towards outsiders, his businesses have consistently sought out foreign labor. During his presidency, his businesses requested to employ 382 foreigners, including 121 in 2018. The Trump administration attempted to limit employers’ dependence on foreign workers, but this was mainly focused on permanent employees rather than the temporary workers that Trump’s properties often hire.
The process of hiring temporary foreign workers involves multiple federal departments, and businesses must show that they cannot find enough American workers for the job. Trump’s businesses have utilized two types of visas: H-2A for agricultural workers and H-2B for non-agricultural workers. These workers have been employed in various roles such as servers, clerks, housekeepers, and kitchen staff at Trump’s clubs and properties.
Trump’s hiring practices have faced scrutiny in the past, with reports of workers doing manual labor illegally at his properties. There are also national security concerns surrounding the hiring of foreign workers at Trump properties, particularly Mar-a-Lago, where classified documents were accessible during Trump’s presidency and after he left office. In 2022, his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, was alleged to have kept classified material on-site.
In June 2023, Trump pleaded not guilty to felony charges related to retaining government documents, including some that were allegedly found during an FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago in August 2022. The Trump Organization did not respond to requests for comment on these allegations. Despite Trump’s tough rhetoric on immigration, the use of temporary foreign workers at his properties raises questions about his business practices and the potential impact on national security.
Overall, Donald Trump’s businesses have heavily relied on temporary foreign workers in recent years, despite his public stance on immigration. The hiring of foreign workers at his properties, including Mar-a-Lago and golf clubs, has raised concerns about the potential impact on American jobs and national security. With ongoing legal challenges related to the retention of government documents, Trump’s business practices continue to be under scrutiny.
