Newsom Accuses Trump of Sending Mixed Signals as Trump Organization Seeks Record Number of Foreign Workers in 2025

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is criticizing former President Donald Trump more after new data showed the Trump Organization is requesting more foreign labor for 2025 than ever. The company has applied for at least 184 temporary worker visas this year for seasonal jobs at several Trump properties, according to federal labor filings. Trump’s business practices and national political messaging are being debated amid these H-2A and H-2B visa requests.

As Trump has publicly criticized U.S. visa programs in recent months, the visa application surge raised accusations of inconsistency. He was criticized this week for saying American workers lacked specialized skills in his comments on skilled immigration, particularly the H-1B program. Even though he claimed that some positions require foreign expertise when domestic workers “don’t have” the skills, his administration’s six-figure H-1B visa application fee deepened the controversy.

The Trump Organization’s growing use of foreign labor has led critics to say “America First” messaging doesn’t match business decisions. The former president’s rhetoric contradicts his family business’s hiring practices, which still rely heavily on seasonal foreign labor, according to Newsom’s office.

The Trump Organization requests H-2A and H-2B visas for peak tourism and harvest season agricultural and non-agricultural jobs. According to records, the company used these programs throughout Trump’s presidency. For five years, golf courses and resorts have requested over 560 foreign workers. Over 2,000 foreign labor requests under these visa categories have been received by the company since 2008.

Conservative immigration messaging tensions are rising. Former Trump labor policy supporters worry that his recent comments don’t reflect the movement he founded. Some believe saying the country lacks talent undermines American workers’ confidence, while others believe the rise in foreign labor requests could undermine his political message. Conflicting guidance and messaging are also diluting the “America First” agenda, according to influential conservative allies.

Files contribute to national debates on immigration, labor shortages, and economic policy. The debate highlights a growing gap between political messaging and business realities and Trump’s support base’s disagreements about immigration in a changing workforce.

Sources
Forbes
The Washington Post
NBC News