Trump Allies Pushed for More Work Visas

Lobbyists with ties to Trump's private clubs sought to increase guest worker visas.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A solitary figure sitting alone in a dimly lit, textured lobby space, with warm light streaming in from a window, conceptually representing the behind-the-scenes influence of Trump's private club members on public policy.Lobbying efforts by Trump allies with ties to his private clubs raise concerns about conflicts of interest in the administration's guest worker visa policies.West Palm Beach Today

The Trump administration authorized additional visas for seasonal guest workers after a lobbying campaign by industry leaders and a Trump-aligned lawmaker. Bernd Lembcke, the former manager of Mar-a-Lago, Peter Petrina, a longtime Mar-a-Lago member, and Adrian Tudor, a manager at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, approached President Trump at his Florida golf club earlier this year to make the case for more visas to address labor shortages in the hospitality industry.

Why it matters

This case highlights the influence that Trump's allies and business associates had on his administration's policies, particularly around immigration and guest worker programs that benefited the president's own private clubs and properties.

The details

Lembcke, Petrina, and Tudor lobbied Trump directly at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, arguing that the hospitality industry needed more seasonal guest workers ahead of the peak tourism season. The administration subsequently authorized additional H-2B visas for temporary foreign workers, a move that aligned with the interests of Trump's own businesses.

  • In January 2026, Lembcke, Petrina, and Tudor approached President Trump at Mar-a-Lago to make their case for more guest worker visas.

The players

Bernd Lembcke

The former manager of Mar-a-Lago who recently retired after a 30-year stint working at Trump's properties.

Peter Petrina

A longtime Mar-a-Lago member who lobbied Trump for more guest worker visas.

Adrian Tudor

A manager at the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach who helped facilitate the conversation with Trump.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the close ties between Trump's business interests and his administration's policies, raising concerns about the influence of private interests on public policy decisions.