Jamaican model to sue Donald Trump

A former model of Donald Trump's agency is preparing to sue the Republican presidential front-runner's company for treating her like a “slave”.

Jamaican model Alexia Palmer came to New York in 2011 at the age of 17 with the expectation of earning more than a $100,000 a year as documented on her special work visa.

The H-1B visa certified the young model would work 'full time' and earn '$75,000' USD a year.

Since she arrived in the US, Palmer's lawyers claim she has only received $3,880 plus several thousand dollars in cash advances.

“That’s what slavery people do,” Palmer told ABC News.

“You work and don’t get no money.”

Trump's modelling agency took 80 percent of her earnings as fees, however only booked her 21 jobs over a three-year period.

The plaintiff claims her agreement with the modelling agency stipulated it would only take 20 percent of her annual earnings.

Palmer's case accuses the Trump Model Management LLC of "fraudulent misrepresentation" with the model claiming the billionaire's agency mislead the Federal Government in its work visa declaration.

The Jamaican model is seeking almost $300,000 in back pay.

Palmer's lawyers originally filed the suit in mid 2014. The decision on whether the case will proceed is expected to be determined by the end of the month.

Trump’s lawyers deemed the case "frivolous" and "without merit”.

The modelling agency is also being questioned for its use of the H-1B visa in its employment of overseas workers.

Under the US Federal Government's immigration policy, H-1B visas are reserved for highly skilled workers like engineers and doctors while the O-1 visas are associated with more common careers like modelling.