Former Trump models say they worked in U.S. 'illegally'

Trump Model Management has allegedly profited from illegally using foreigners as models before they were able to secure U.S. work visas, a Mother Jones investigation has found. Trump Model Management would reportedly go as far as to coach girls on how to lie to immigration officials in order to use tourist visas to get into New York, Mother Jones says, despite the fact that such visas do not permit foreigners to work in the United States.

"When you're stuck at immigration, say that you're coming as a tourist. If they go through your luggage and they find your portfolio, tell them that you're going there to look for an agent," one model, "Kate," who spoke anonymously with Mother Jones, recalled being instructed. Another model, "Anna," said she remembered a Trump agency representative telling her to lie on her customs form about where she was going to live and was told, "If they ask you any questions, [say] you're just here for meetings."

Republican nominee Donald Trump has made it a central point in his campaign to prevent foreign workers from being employed illegally in the U.S., and said he would end the H-1B visa program — a program, it just so happens, that Trump Model Management apparently used frequently. "He doesn't like the face of a Mexican or a Muslim," Kate told Mother Jones, "but because these [models] are beautiful girls, it's okay?"

Trump owns 85 percent of Trump Model Management, which he founded in 1995. He has even hand-picked models to sign; Melania Trump briefly worked for the agency in the 1990s. Trump Model Management did not comment to Mother Jones, while Trump campaign spokeswoman Hope Hicks said the issue "has nothing to do with me or the campaign" when questioned.

"[Trump] doesn't want to let anyone into the U.S. anymore," Kate said. "Meanwhile, behind everyone's back, he's bringing in all of these girls from all over the world and they're working illegally." Read the entire investigation at Mother Jones.