California Senator Urges Federal Investigation of Trump Model Management’s Alleged Violations of Immigration Laws
Last week, ImmigrationProf blogged about a Mother Jones report that Trump Model Management profited by employing foreign models on tourist visas that did not permit them to work here legally. Yesterday, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) sent a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Director León Rodriguez in response to the Mother Jones article alleging widespread noncompliance with immigration and labor laws by Trump Model Management.
“I am extremely concerned by the claims levied against Trump Model Management and ask that you open an investigation into the company’s employment practices,” Senator Boxer wrote in the letter. “I hope you will make clear that immigration and labor violations like these will not be tolerated.”
Specifically, the article alleges that the New York-based company profited by employing foreign models who came to the United States on tourist visas that did not permit them to work here. Further, it appears that Trump Model Management failed to obtain work visas on behalf of models they employed despite being aware of their immigration status.
The full text of the letter follows:
September 7, 2016
Mr. León Rodríguez
Director
US Citizenship and Immigration Service
20 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20549
Dear Mr. Rodríguez:
I am writing regarding the disturbing allegations that Trump Model Management violated immigration laws by employing foreign models who lacked proper work authorization, as first reported by Mother Jones on August 30, 2016. A copy of the article is enclosed.
Firsthand accounts by several former Trump models, coupled with a thorough review of financial and immigration records by Mother Jones, indicate widespread noncompliance with immigration and labor laws by Trump Model Management. Specifically, the article alleges that the company profited from using foreign models who came to the United States on tourist visas that did not permit them to work here. Further, it appears that Trump Model Management failed to obtain work visas on behalf of models they employed despite being aware of their immigration status.
I am extremely concerned by the claims levied against Trump Model Management and ask that you open an investigation into the company’s employment practices. I hope you will make clear that immigration and labor violations like these will not be tolerated.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
Sincerely,
Barbara Boxer
United States Senator
CC: Secretary Tom Perez, U.S. Department of Labor
KJ