(Thread) Trump Model Management, has profited from using foreign models who came to the US on tourist visas that did not permit them to work here, according to 3 former Trump models, all noncitizens, who shared their stories with Mother Jones. #TrumpModels motherjones.com/politics/2016/…
Financial and immigration records included in a recent lawsuit filed by a fourth former Trump model show that she, too, worked for Trump’s agency in the United States without a proper visa.
Trump earned nearly $2 million from the company, in which he holds an 85 percent stake. Meanwhile, some former Trump models say they barely made any money working for the agency because of the high fees for rent and other expenses that were charged by the company.
Each of the 3 former Trump models said they arrived in NY with dreams of making it big in one of the world’s most competitive fashion markets. But without work visas, they lived in constant fear of getting caught. “I was pretty on edge most of the time I was there,” Anna said.
Two other former Trump models—who requested anonymity to speak freely about their experiences, and who we are giving the pseudonyms Anna and Kate—said the agency never obtained work visas on their behalf, even as they performed modeling assignments in the United States.
2 of the former Trump models said Trump’s agency encouraged them to deceive customs officials about why they were visiting the US and told them to lie on customs forms about where they intended to live.
Anna said she received a specific instruction from a Trump agency representative: “If they ask you any questions, you’re just here for meetings.”
Trump has branded himself as an anti-illegal-immigration crusader on the campaign trail. “He doesn’t want to let anyone into the US anymore,” she said. “Meanwhile, behind everyone’s back, he’s bringing in all of these girls from all over the world & they’re working illegally.”
Kate recalled being told, “When you’re stuck at immigration, say that you’re coming as a tourist. If they go through your luggage & they find your portfolio, tell them that you’re going there to look for an agent.”
Trump Model Management recruited models as young as 14. “I was by far the oldest in the house at the ripe old age of 18,” Anna said.
A detailed financial statement provided by Blais shows that Trump’s agency charged her as much as $1,600 a month for a bunk in a room she shared with five others.
Kate said she paid about $1,200 a month—”highway robbery,” she called it. For comparison, in the summer of 2004, an entire studio apartment nearby was advertised at $1,375 a month.
