FashionNewsModels call out ‘illegal’ and ‘crooked’ Donald TrumpThe Republican’s old modelling agency has been accused of violating immigration laws, with one former employee comparing it to ‘modern-day slavery’ShareLink copied ✔️September 1, 2016FashionNewsTextDominique Sisley When it comes to immigration, Donald Trump’s stance has always been pretty clear. The Republican nominee has been belching out rank, xenophobic rhetoric for the last 15 months: promising voters that he’ll ban all Muslims, deport en masse, and build giant border walls around the country. Unfortunately, he may not have personally been playing by the same rules. In a new report on Mother Jones, three former employees of Trump’s modelling agency have now stepped forward to accuse the billionaire businessman of running a “crooked” and “illegal” company. According to them, he had been skirting US regulations to bring in foreign models; forcing them to work illegally and in “sweatshop”-like conditions. Founded by the mogul in 1999, Trump Model Management was reportedly keeping all its foreign employees on tourist visas, and encouraging them to lie to immigration services. One model, known as ‘Anna’, claimed that the agency told employees, “If (immigration officials) ask you any questions, you're just here for meetings.” “It is like modern-day slavery,” Canadian-born Rachel Blais, who worked for the company between 2004-2007, told Mother Jones. “Honestly, they are the most crooked agency I've ever worked for, and I've worked for quite a few.” The models claimed that they were forced to live in crowded, overpriced apartments in New York’s East Village, in rooms containing multiple bunks. They were also apparently overcharged for this pleasure – paying $1,600 each (well over market value in 2004) for three-bedroomed apartments shared by 11 different people. “We’re hoarded into these small spaces,” a former model under the pseudonym ‘Kate’ said. “The apartment was like a sweatshop.” It’s not the first time Trump Model Management has been called out. Back in March, Jamaica-born model Alexia Palmer sued the agency for racketeering, breach of contract, and violating wage laws for immigrants. She also likened the company heads to “slavery people”. Read the full Mother Jones report here. Expand your creative community and connect with 15,000 creatives from around the world.READ MOREHaider Ackermann throws it down with Willie Nelson for Canada GooseBrontez Purnell on the rise of Telfar Clemens Ray-Ban MetaDazed Clubbers: this is your chance to attend Paradigm ShiftWill nostalgia be the defining aesthetic of the 2020s?In pictures: Vivienne Westwood’s jewellery archive has found a new homeThis new book delves into the 150-year history of Louis VuittonIn pictures: Jean Paul Gaultier’s rarely seen runway archive‘Haunted and horny’: Joseph Quinn and Luna Carmoon on Versace’s new eraMeet the fresh talent being honoured at the 2025 Fashion AwardsOlivier Rousteing steps down from Balmain In pictures: Revisiting Anok Yai’s greatest style momentsAnok Yai is 2025’s Model of the Year