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During an interview with the New York Post, Ivana Trump the ex-wife of frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump, put forward some interesting views on US immigration, saying that the country needs immigrants because "who's going to vacuum our living rooms and clean up after us? Americans don't like to do that."
Ivana Trump, who was originally from Czechoslovakia [now Czech Republic and Slovak Republic], also stated that she was 'in favor of newcomers taking the route to become legal, US citizens'. She said: "As long as you come here legally and get a proper job . . . we need immigrants." However, she was quick to state that she supported her ex-husband's stringent stance on illegal immigration.
Referring to Mexicans in particular - who Donald Trump has labelled 'rapists' – Ivana said: "I have nothing against Mexicans, but if they come to the US — like let's say a 19-year-old, who's pregnant, she crossed over a wall that's high, she gives birth in an American hospital, which is for free."
"The child becomes American automatically. She brings the whole family, she doesn't pay the taxes, she doesn't have a job, she gets the housing, and she gets the food stamps. Who's paying? You and me."
Ivana Trump adviser to Donald Trump
In the interview with the New York Post, Ivana Trump, a former model, stated that she's a 'sort of adviser to Donald.' She said that she often speaks to him prior to and after his public appearances. She claims that Donald asks her what she thinks following his public speeches. She has also taken credit for his catchphrase 'You think it, I say it.'
When quizzed about Donald's view of women, she responded to the New York Post by saying: "I don't think he's a feminist. He loves women. But not a feminist." The New York Post then asked Ivana Trump how she felt about Melania Trump, Donald Trump's current wife, possibly becoming first lady. "She'll adapt fine," Ivana responded. "She never did anything wrong to me. I wish them all the best," she added.
Ivana and Donald Trump Troubled relationship
Despite apparently being on good terms now, this has not always been the case. During a deposition, Ivana mentioned the word 'rape' to describe a 1989 sexual encounter with her ex-husband, while her 1993 book, 'Lost Tycoon: The Many Lives of Donald J Trump,' portrayed the Republican in a very unflattering manner.
In regards to Ivana's use of the word 'rape' to describe the sexual encounter in 1989, a Trump lawyer was forced to apologize back in July 2015 after telling a Daily Beast reporter that ''by the very definition, you can't rape your spouse.'' Trump's Presidential campaign group released a statement, made by Ivana, describing the rape story as 'totally without merit.'
Donald Trump on immigration
Donald Trump has become notorious for spouting anti-immigration rhetoric, which has seen him clash with the Pope and face criticism from his own church denomination.
Aside from labelling Mexicans 'rapists' and stating that he plans to build a wall between Mexico and the US, the Republican has likened US immigrants to 'poisonous snakes' and has called for a ban on all Muslims entering the US.
However, he recently upset supporters following a Fox News debate on March 3, in which he appeared to change his stance on the number of foreign workers being allowed to enter the US on H-1B and L-1 visas. Having originally vowed to cut numbers arriving in the US and taking up 'American jobs,' Trump softened his view, declaring that the US needs overseas workers.
Donald Trump has also been described as being a hypocrite on immigration. A Reuters' investigation in July 2015 said that Trump owned businesses have applied for at least 1,100 work visas. Nine Trump companies have brought in foreign waitresses, cooks, vineyard workers and other laborers on visas such as the H-2B non-immigrant visa.
