A new report shows that Trump’s companies have requested work visas for over a thousand workers from countries outside of the United States.
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Trump generated both notoriety and buzz by singling out Mexican immigrants in the United States.
Reuters’ review of the Labor Department found that most of the visa requests were granted, which included a wide range of jobs including waitresses and cooks, to vineyard workers, and even hotel and banquet management positions.
The analysis referenced back to 2000 when at least 1,100 foreign workers were brought to work for Trump related companies.
While Trump hasn’t talked extensively on how he plans to keep jobs in the U.S. or bring back jobs already overseas, it has become a major selling point for his campaign, as he has presented himself as a champion of American workers at risk of losing their jobs to illegal foreign laborers or offshoring.
During his June announcement speech, Trump proclaimed that “I will be the greatest jobs president that God ever created”. “I’ll bring back our jobs from China, from Mexico, from Japan, from so many places”.
Data shows that Trump is likely importing a large number of Mexican immigrants through the visas.
During that same speech Mr. Trump made controversial remarks on immigration, saying Mexico isn’t sending its best people to the U.S.
Trump’s hiring practices may not jibe with his message of bringing jobs back to Americans, but they are hardly unusual in the hospitality industry.
The H-2B program brings in mostly Mexican workers.
The H-2B program requires companies to prove that the jobs are seasonal and that they already tried and failed to hire Americans, however, it lacks government oversight. He said thousands of legal Mexican immigrants, who he called “incredible people”, have worked for his business empire. Demonstrators are calling for immigration reform and an end to deportations of undocumented residents.
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office revealed that workers in the country on H-2A and H-2B visas have experienced abuse, including being charged illegal recruiting fees, substandard housing and low pay.
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Other companies owned by the billionaire using dozens of foreign laborers include Trump National Golf Club Jupiter and Trump National Doral Miami.
