Top Trump donors who funded anti-immigrant ads accused of illegally employing Mexican workers

Uline, a Wisconsin-based office and shipping supply company owned by two of Donald Trump’s top political donors, has been accused of employing dozens of workers from Mexico at its US warehouses under visas not intended for labour.

The company, controlled by billionaire donors Liz and Dick Uihlein, allegedly shuttles workers from its Mexico operations to warehouses in Wisconsin and other states under tourist visas and B1 business visas, typically used for training purposes.

Instead of receiving training, the Mexican workers reportedly perform standard warehouse tasks for months at a time, sources with direct knowledge of the practice said, according to a months-long investigation by The Guardian.

Program details

Internally known as “shuttle support,” the program reportedly began about three years ago amid Uline’s struggles to staff its US warehouses, particularly in Pennsylvania, The Guardian quoted a source as saying.

The workers are transported to US locations, provided with lodging, food, and rental cars at company expense, and housed in hotels near Uline’s facilities.

Over the investigation, reporters observed Mexican workers living in a hotel near Uline’s headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. A staff member at the hotel confirmed that Uline booked blocks of suites for workers when the hotel opened three years ago.

One worker interviewed anonymously confirmed traveling to the US under a tourist visa and B1 visa, ostensibly for training. However, the tasks he described mirrored the duties he performs at Uline’s Mexico facilities. “It’s not training,” he said.

Some documents describe purported training programs but detail tasks more akin to standard warehouse work, including warehouse safety, using vehicle-mounted devices, and identifying warehouse locations.

Legal and ethical concerns

Lawyers and immigrant advocates contend the alleged practice likely violates immigration laws and exploits the workers. Under US visa rules, B1 visas are for temporary business activities, not productive employment, and tourist visas explicitly prohibit any form of work.

“If they’re doing warehouse work, especially second or third shift, that’s not a close call,” said Marc Christopher, a Wisconsin-based immigration attorney. He added that he believed it was “absolutely 100 per cent not allowed”.

Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the director of the immigrant rights group Voces de la Frontera, as saying that the program an example of “international labour exploitation,” alleging it undermines wages for US workers while underpaying the Mexican employees.

The Mexican workers are reportedly paid their regular wages into accounts in Mexico, supplemented by additional travel allowances. However, their pay is far less than their American counterparts.

Top brass was aware

The Guardian’s reporting suggests Uline’s senior executives, including Liz Uihlein, have knowledge of the program.

Internal company documents reviewed by reporters indicated that Mexican workers are sometimes hired specifically to participate in the shuttle support program.

Requests for participants reportedly came from senior executives at Uline’s Pleasant Prairie headquarters.

Contradictions in political support

The allegations against Uline come even as its owners, the Uihleins, are prominent donors to Donald Trump and other conservative politicians who have advocated strict immigration policies.

Dick Uihlein’s Super PAC, Restoration PAC, funded ads during Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign attacking Vice President Kamala Harris for allegedly allowing an “immigrant invasion” at the US-Mexico border.

Neumann-Ortiz noted the irony of the Uihleins profiting “off the backs of Mexicans” while supporting anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies. “It really shows the cynicism – it’s a model of international labour exploitation, while at the same time really putting money into this propaganda campaign to try to pit workers against each other.”