Donald Trump's family business significantly increased its applications to hire foreign workers on temporary visas in 2025, even as his administration implemented stricter immigration policies affecting other American companies.
Record Visa Requests for Trump Properties
According to an analysis of US Department of Labor data published by Forbes, the Trump Organization sought to bring in at least 184 foreign workers for temporary positions at several of the former president's properties.
The visa applications covered roles including servers, clerks, housekeepers, kitchen staff and farm workers for the Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, two golf clubs, and Trump's Virginia winery. This represents the highest number of applications ever submitted by the company, surpassing the 121 requests made in 2021 when Trump's first term concluded.
Contrast With Administration's Immigration Stance
This development comes amid a broader crackdown on legal immigration by the Trump administration, which has included implementing a $100,000 fee on H1-B visas for skilled foreign workers, increasing scrutiny on existing visa holders, and introducing restrictive new rules for foreign students and journalists.
Data examined by the Palm Beach Post reveals this marks the fifth time in ten years that Trump has sought to bring in more than 100 overseas workers for seasonal positions at his Mar-a-Lago club alone.
Political Controversy and Business Practice
The revelation follows recent criticism Trump faced from within his own Republican party after defending the use of foreign workers during a Fox News interview. When host Laura Ingraham suggested foreign workers undercut American wages, Trump responded that companies sometimes need people with "specific talents" that aren't available domestically.
Over the five years Trump has been in the White House, from 2017 to 2021, and during 2025, the Trump Organization has sought to employ 566 foreign labourers in total.
Neither the White House nor the Trump Organization provided comments to Forbes regarding these findings.
