Dem lawmakers call for FBI probe into Trump golf clubs’ hiring of undocumented immigrants

by Justin Wise - 02/13/19 5:52 PM ET

A group of Democratic lawmakers are urging the FBI to investigate the Trump Organization’s hiring of undocumented immigrant’s at the company’s golf courses.

“We write to you to request a thorough federal investigation into the disturbing allegations from former Trump Organization employees that demonstrate possible violations of both civil and criminal law by the Trump National Golf Club in Westchester County, New York and Bedminster, New Jersey,” Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) wrote in a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray.

{mosads}Yvette D. Clarke, Nydia Velázquez, Joseph Kennedy, III, André Carson, Darren Soto, Jimmy Gomez, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Tom Malinowski were among the co-signers.

Grijalva notes in the letter “that the number of immigrants claiming they were employed illegally by the Trump Organization has risen to over 20 individuals.”

“It raises serious questions of criminal activity and numerous violations of employment laws… including conspiracy charges, procuring false documents, and forced and coerced labor,” he said, before noting that the Trump Organization “fired these hardworking employees” as Trump advocated for “a border wall that would supposedly keep undocumented immigrants out.”

Several immigrants have been fired from Trump properties since reports first surfaced in December of undocumented migrants working at the Trump club in Bedminster, N.J.

The Trump Organization has maintained that executives were not aware that undocumented workers were on the payroll. But several workers have contended that their managers knew about their status and even assisted them in falsifying their documents.

CNN reported last month that many of the workers met with lawmakers to urge them to open an investigation into the Trump Organization. The workers also asked for their assistance should they need protection from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Several Democrats have warned the administration to be cautious with their treatment of immigrants without legal status who were alleging abuse at Trump properties.

The new letter from House Democrats also asks that “the victims of the alleged criminal and civil violations be protected as material witnesses and victims.”

Sen. Bob Menendez (D) last week asked for the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to open a probe into the matter.

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