Trump Organization Migrant Hiring Surges Amid Mass Deportations
Company files show a dramatic increase in hires through seasonal visa programs, with over 2,000 positions requested since 2008 despite White House push for tighter controls.
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump’s business empire is accelerating its hiring of foreign workers even as his administration unleashes the largest mass deportation effort in modern U.S. history—exposing a sharp divide between presidential rhetoric and private sector strategy.
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Trump Properties Ramp Up Foreign Worker Visas as Deportations Surge
The Trump Organization sought at least 184 foreign laborers for 2025, records show, a new high for a company that’s tapped guest worker programs at Mar-a-Lago, golf clubs, and the Virginia winery. These jobs—server, housekeeper, kitchen staff, farm worker—come with hourly pay ranging from $15.58 to $27.91, via H-2A and H-2B visas designed for employers unable to fill vacancies with U.S. applicants.
It’s a striking figure, given the backdrop: Trump’s administration is driving a historic crackdown. In the months since his January 2025 inauguration, federal agents have ramped up workplace sweeps, expanded detention facilities, and implemented new rules for expedited removal, aiming to deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants per year—often with visible enforcement sweeps in major cities and rural communities.
Contradiction in Policy and Practice
While the White House vows to curb both legal and illegal immigration, the Trump Organization continues relying on seasonal foreign labor, registering a record number of visa requests for 2025. Since 2008, the company has sought 2,033 foreign hires—nearly three times the annual average during Trump’s presidency.
The disparity is stark. Publicly, Trump calls for strict border controls and fast deportations. Privately, his businesses use federal guest worker programs designed for companies that claim they cannot find enough domestic help—programs now under closer scrutiny from his own administration.
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Politics and Public Reaction
During a recent Fox News interview, Trump defended specialty visas for highly skilled workers, while his supporters, including host Laura Ingraham, warned that “flooding the country” with foreign labor drives down U.S. wages. Critics within his own party seized on the contradiction, charging hypocrisy as border agents ramp up deportations at Trump’s direction.
Meanwhile, the Trump Organization stands to profit: Trump maintains ownership control during his term, drawing income through his revocable trust while his adult son serves as trustee. Forbes now estimates Trump’s net worth at $6.5 billion, with a growing share tied to crypto assets.
Open Questions and Broader Impact
Federal data does not reveal the national origins of these workers—approximately 90 countries are eligible for H-2A and H-2B visas. Nor is it clear how Trump’s businesses navigate administration rules now vigorously enforced throughout other sectors.
With the next round of seasonal hiring near, and mass deportations ramping up nationwide, Trump’s dual role as enforcer and employer continues to draw scrutiny from advocates and critics alike.
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