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A report published by daily US newspaper, the New York Post, says that Trump 'loves immigrants if they're hot chicks.'' His modelling agency – Trump Model Management has according to Reuters employed 250 models on visas such as the O-1 exceptional talent visa and H-1B visa.
The New York Post writes that Donald Trump 'loves models at home', referring to his ex-wife Ivana and current spouse Melania - who were both models – and his daughters Ivanka and Tiffany, who have in the past also worked as models.
A video published on Heat Street website on Monday 18, April, sees several models on the books at Trump Model Management describe their feelings towards their boss who has become known for his anti-immigrant and xenophobic rhetoric as he bids to secure the Republican Presidential nomination.
In the video, one model says: "His politics are different to mine, but it doesn't really affect me in my job." She later adds: "I'm sorry, Trump. I want Hillary Clinton to win the presidential election!"
Trump Immigrant models and New York Fashion Week
The video, which was filmed during New York Fashion Week, also tackles a rather 'sticky situation' according to the New York Post, in that many of the models featured in the video are not 'fully-fledged US citizens" but actually temporary immigrants. Not even permanent resident immigrants.
One model said: "I'm an O-1 visa: Extraordinary Abilities." Several others featured in the video reveal that they too hold an O-1 non-immigrant visa.
Trump Model Management is said to have applied for the O-1 exceptional talent non-immigrant visa for 250 models, according to Reuters. To qualify for the exceptional talent visa, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website states that applicants must demonstrate 'an exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, which will benefit the national economy, cultural interests, educational interests, or US welfare."
Make America Great Again by bringing in more immigrants!
The Heat Street video says that Trump Model Management's pursuit of exceptional talent visas for international models contradicts Trump's personal pledge to be the 'greatest jobs-producing President that God has ever created' by reducing the number of immigrant workers entering the US. This all part of Trump's policy so he says to "Make America Great Again".
The fashion elite has no issue with international models. One fashion designer said: "It's about a clash of identities. There's this cross-pollination. Some girls come from a remote town in Africa and others are from the tip of New Zealand."
Model, J. Alexander agreed with the unnamed fashion designer, saying: "If we want to reach global success, we need global beauty."
Trump's apparent immigration stance hypocritical
The latest case of Trump hiring immigrants for his business ventures once again appears to contradict his public statements. This is the man who has likened US immigrants to 'poisonous snakes', called for a complete ban on Muslims entering the US, labelled Mexicans rapists and made numerous other over the top anti-immigrant statements. He has also clashed with the Pope on US immigration and come under criticism from his own church denomination about immigration related issues.
The hiring of immigrants at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida and his statement about the need to hire H-2B, H-1B and L-1 visa workers during a Fox News debate, having previously promised to 'hand jobs back to American workers,' by reducing immigration have somewhat undermined Trump's credibility as an anti-immigration candidate. It seems to be the case that Trump likes immigrants, provided they serve a purpose for his business ventures or if he is looking for a wife.