President-elect Donald Trump made a significant vow during his campaign, asserting his commitment to American labor: “We will build American, buy American and hire American.” This mantra resonated through the hearts of many voters, especially those disillusioned with the American job market. However, a closer examination of his business practices reveals a different narrative, one that raises questions about the sincerity of his pledges to American workers.
Despite his promises, Trump’s businesses sought to hire a record number of foreign guest workers in 2024, according to a CNN review of government labor data. This paradox becomes more pronounced when considering that some of his top political allies and administration selections have also received the go-ahead to employ foreign workers. Notably, Trump’s enterprises, including the exclusive Mar-a-Lago Club and various golf courses, have increasingly relied on foreign labor over the years.
In fact, Trump’s businesses obtained government approval to hire **209 foreign workers** this year, a figure that is almost double compared to the laborer approvals from a decade prior. These positions comprise vital roles such as cooks, servers, housekeepers, and desk clerks. Trump has defended this reliance on foreign labor by arguing that the nature of the jobs in his seasonal clubs often goes unfilled by Americans seeking permanent employment.
Insights gleaned from former employees of Trump’s clubs suggest that the reluctance of American workers could be mitigated if salaries were improved or if additional benefits were offered. This scenario raises concerns about the economic viability of these temporary positions for American citizens, especially at a time when the job market presents numerous opportunities in various sectors.
In an interesting parallel, Elon Musk, a notable Trump supporter, has pushed his own businesses, such as Tesla, to acquire government approvals to hire approximately **2,000 highly skilled foreign workers** in 2024 alone. Moreover, the companies associated with Trump’s selected cabinet members have similarly pursued guest worker programs. This convergence highlights a broader pattern among influential business leaders who rely heavily on foreign labor to fill specialized roles in their organizations.
The majority of guest workers at Trump properties are granted visas through the H-2B program. This initiative permits employers to recruit foreigners when the local labor market cannot meet the demand. Notably, while thousands of businesses leverage this program, the process often poses challenges and administrative hurdles. Ironically, Trump’s employed practices contradict his allies’ calls for limiting this visa program, indicating a dissonance between political rhetoric and economic actions.
One of the conservative strategies, termed Project 2025, pushes for capping guest-worker visas and advocates for prioritizing American workers. While Trump distanced himself from this initiative during the campaign, he has appointed advocates of this plan to his administration, which raises questions about the consistency of his policies.
In response to the growing utilization of foreign workers across Trump’s enterprises, Mark Krikorian, head of the Center for Immigration Studies, expressed concerns regarding the negative impact on American employees. He posits that the availability of guest worker programs diminishes the bargaining power of American workers, thereby hampering companies’ incentive to enhance working conditions or wages.
Supporters of foreign guest worker programs, particularly in high-demand tourist-heavy areas like South Florida, argue that municipalities face not only challenges in filling seasonal jobs but also that the utilization of foreign labor is vital to meet the soaring demands of peak tourist seasons. Julia Dattolo, CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County, acknowledges that businesses in the region heavily depend on these workers but emphasizes the necessity of advertising jobs to American applicants beforehand.
Chloe East, an economics professor, points out that while politicians may scapegoat immigrants for labor market struggles, many industries are fundamentally reliant on foreign workers to function effectively. East suggests that any aggressive changes to immigration policy could inadvertently jeopardize the stability of businesses that are essential to the American economy.
In conclusion, Trump’s approaches to hiring reflect a conflict between his public assertions and private practices. His use of foreign guest workers while advocating for a protectionist employment structure creates a paradox that begs further examination. As his administration moves forward, the implications of these hiring choices will unfold, particularly in how they impact American labor and the economic landscape. The challenge remains for the future administration to align its economic policies with the rhetoric that captivated many voters during the election.
