Fact-Check Rebuts Vance’s Claim That Illegal Immigration Drives Housing Crisis

Overview

• On Nov. 13, Vice President J.D. Vance said on Fox News that the U.S. was flooded with 30 million illegal immigrants who were taking houses from citizens.
• PolitiFact on Nov. 20 rated the claim Mostly False, noting credible estimates put the unauthorized population at roughly 12 million to 14 million and finding immigration is not a primary cause of high housing costs.
• Economists cited a multiyear underbuilding gap of about 4.7 million homes, pandemic-era demand shifts, and elevated mortgage rates, with prices and rents rising in 2020–2021 before later increases in migration.
• Fact-checkers also pointed out that foreign-born workers make up about 30% of the construction workforce, warning that tougher enforcement could worsen labor shortages and slow new homebuilding.
• A Center Square op-ed and FAIR continue to argue migration is a key driver, citing an estimated 3 million international arrivals in 2024 and praising tighter border controls, while Mediaite highlighted investor purchases and persistent supply shortfalls.