Donald Trump’s family business accelerated its hiring of foreign workers on short-term work permits this period, while his government was creating barriers for other businesses wanting to do the same, a report released recently stated.
Based on data from the US Department of Labor, the business sought to hire at least nearly 200 overseas employees in the coming year for temporary positions at the US president’s Florida property, two golf clubs and his winery in Virginia.
The quantity of requests for H-2A and H-2B visas covering staff including waitstaff, clerks, cleaning staff, kitchen staff and farm workers was the highest ever submitted by the organization, and increased from 121 in the previous term, when Trump’s first term ended.
It was also the fifth instance in a decade that the former president had sought to bring in over a hundred overseas workers for temporary positions at his Florida resort, according to labor statistics.
The revelation comes amid a tightening on immigration laws by his government that has included the introduction of a $100,000 fee on skilled worker visas; increased review of the actions of the 55 million people who already hold American work permits; and tighter regulations for foreign students and journalists.
Overall, the Trump Organization sought to hire over 560 overseas workers over the period Trump has been in the presidency, from his first term and during 2025.
Notably, Trump was questioned by certain in the GOP this week for remarks defending the need for foreign workers when a company was unable to find people with “particular skills” to fill particular roles.
“You cannot just say a nation is coming in, going to spend billions to construct a facility, and going to recruit individuals off an unemployment line who haven’t worked in years, and they’re going to start producing their defense systems. It doesn’t work that well,” he stated to a host after she suggested that overseas employees undercut the wages of US workers.
The administration declined a request for comment, and the Trump Organization did not provide an answer to an inquiry.
A seasoned financial analyst and writer passionate about empowering others through clear, actionable advice on money and life.