Former Trump models say they worked in U.S. 'illegally'
Trump Model Management has allegedly profited from illegally using foreigners as models before they were able to secure U.S. work visas, a Mother Jones investigation has found. Trump Model Management would reportedly go as far as to coach girls on how to lie to immigration officials in order to use tourist visas to get into New York, Mother Jones says, despite the fact that such visas do not permit foreigners to work in the United States.
"When you're stuck at immigration, say that you're coming as a tourist. If they go through your luggage and they find your portfolio, tell them that you're going there to look for an agent," one model, "Kate," who spoke anonymously with Mother Jones, recalled being instructed. Another model, "Anna," said she remembered a Trump agency representative telling her to lie on her customs form about where she was going to live and was told, "If they ask you any questions, [say] you're just here for meetings."
Republican nominee Donald Trump has made it a central point in his campaign to prevent foreign workers from being employed illegally in the U.S., and said he would end the H-1B visa program — a program, it just so happens, that Trump Model Management apparently used frequently. "He doesn't like the face of a Mexican or a Muslim," Kate told Mother Jones, "but because these [models] are beautiful girls, it's okay?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump owns 85 percent of Trump Model Management, which he founded in 1995. He has even hand-picked models to sign; Melania Trump briefly worked for the agency in the 1990s. Trump Model Management did not comment to Mother Jones, while Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the issue "has nothing to do with me or the campaign" when questioned.
"[Trump] doesn't want to let anyone into the U.S. anymore," Kate said. "Meanwhile, behind everyone's back, he's bringing in all of these girls from all over the world and they're working illegally." Read the entire investigation at Mother Jones.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
'He adored Trump, and then rejected him'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Thursday Murder Club: who's in the film and what we can expect
Speed Read Author Richard Osman reveals starry cast set to play his 'septuagenarian sleuths'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The toilet roll tax: UK's strange VAT rules
The Explainer 'Mysterious' and 'absurd' tax brought in £168 billion to HMRC last year
By The Week UK Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published