“Affordability” and Illegal Immigration are Mutually-Exclusive: It’s the Math, Stupid
By Beverly Newman, Ed. D.
One key cause of elevated worst case needs is immigration. Between 2021 and 2024, the foreign-born population of the United States increased by more than 6 million—the largest such increase over such a short period in American history. The foreign-born population now stands at more than 53 million individuals, making up the highest share of the American population in history. This immigration-driven increase in households has contributed to a significant increase in housing demand, thus driving up housing prices. In fact, in some markets, immigration has accounted for nearly all of the increase in housing demand in recent years. This year’s report shows two realities. The first is that economic growth has been insufficient to lift the wages of low-income renting families high enough to make rent affordable. The second is that national macroeconomic policies, such as record immigration, have combined to drive sustained high rental demand, which has continued to place upward pressure on rent prices. As a result, in 2023, only 59 affordable units were available per 100 very low-income renter households, and only 38 units were available per 100 extremely low-income renter households. Worst case needs were common in every region and metropolitan category across the nation but most prevalent in the West, the South, and urban suburbs.
“AFFORDABILITY” IS THE CATCHY SLOGAN THAT IS SUPPOSED TO CONVINCE VOTERS THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE CARE OF THE “FORGOTTEN MAN” WHO STRUGGLES DAILY TO PAY HIS BILLS AND TRY TO TAKE GOOD CARE OF HIS FAMILY. THIS IS A FRONT AND AN AFFRONT TO ALL OF US IN THE RUBRIC OF THE “FORGOTTEN MAN”; FOR OUR COSTS EXCEED OUR REVENUE UNLESS WE ARE SCRUPULOUS WITH EVERY EXPENSE, WITH NO UNANTICIPATED PROBLEMS ARISING.
EVEN AT GOODWILL, WHERE THE “FORGOTTEN MAN” MAKES INNUMERABLE PURCHASES OF NECESSARY ITEMS FOR THE FAMILY AND HOME FROM CLOTHING TO FURNITURE, PRICES HAVE DOUBLED! FOR INSTANCE, INFANTS’ CLOTHES HAVE HIKED FROM $.99 FOR A PAIR OF PANTS TO $1.99; PAJAMAS HAVE INCREASED FROM $1.99 TO $2.99; AND TOYS ONCE SELLING FOR $1.99 HAVE JUMPED TO $2.99 AND MORE. ALTHOUGH MANY BLAME THE “TARIFFS” FOR PRICE HIKES, GOODWILL’S ITEMS FOR SALE ARE DONATIONS, NOT SUBJECT TO TARIFFS BUT SUBJECT TO MORE-MONEY MOTIVES.
BEFORE THE VAST INFLUX OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, GOODWILL HAD REGULAR SALES THAT OFFERED POOR AMERICAN FAMILIES RELIEF FROM MONETARY BURDENS. AFTER COUNTLESS CARTS PILED HIGH WITH GOODWILL SALES GOODS BY NON-ENGLISH SPEAKERS, ALL THE SALES AND DISCOUNT DAYS WERE DISCONTINUED.
The same politicians promising “affordability” for the struggling “forgotten” American family are simultaneously protesting against removals of illegal aliens from this country without regard to the overwhelming financial burdens on the “forgotten” Americans. When there is competition for affordable goods and services, the poor Americans lose!
At Wal-Mart, after-Christmas sales reduce costs by 75 percent, but non-English speakers flood the aisles, piling their carts with goods also needed by poor Americans. Again, when there is competition for affordable goods and services, the “forgotten” American loses. Likewise, for affordable housing, which becomes less affordable and less available for the “forgotten” American.
When there is competition for medical care, the “forgotten” poor American waits much longer for health services to be provided. When there is competition for medical supplies, the supplies run out or run low for “forgotten” poor Americans.
Our insurance costs rise due to an influx of uninsured persons requiring medical care or government-paid medical care. Likewise, vehicle insurance costs escalate when uninsured drivers are involved in collisions.
In our schools, the influx of illegal alien children has caused costs to rise precipitously as well as communicable diseases in our classrooms. On the streets, rising crime rates cost the poor “forgotten” Americans money, health, and lives due to criminals who should never have been here with full access to hurt children whose lives were ended or harmed irreparably.
Key diseases reported in illegal immigrants include:
- Tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, measles, scabies, and other bacterial infections.
- The CDC traced 76% of TB cases in 2023 to non-U.S. born individuals.
Key Communicable Disease Concerns:
- Tuberculosis (TB): Frequently cited as a significant concern, with reported increases in cases linked to international migration.
Skin Infections & Parasites: Scabies, chickenpox, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have been reported, particularly in crowded, unsanitary conditions. - Vaccine-Preventable Diseases: Measles, polio, diphtheria, and pertussis.
- Blood-borne Pathogens: HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C.
- Other Infections: Syphilis, gonorrhea, leprosy, typhoid, cholera, and malaria.
The costs of illegal immigration to the poor “forgotten” American family of all ages and locations across this nation are immeasurable and infinite in terms of generations of citizens who are impacted by massive illegal influxes of persons competing for the same finite goods, services, and money. The infinite economic, medical, and societal costs are incompatible with the slogan of “affordability.”
The American pie only has a set finite size, and the more pieces consumed, the smaller the size of each piece for the “forgotten” poor Americans who should have the rights to which they are Constitutionally-entitled. Unchecked competition against the rights of poor “forgotten” Americans are undemocratic, unfair, and unAmerican.
HUD chief blames ‘unchecked illegal immigration’ pricing-out families amid new housing report
HUD secretary’s exclusive comments come as agency releases damning report on housing market strain
By Charles Creitz • Fox News
EXCLUSIVE: Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner slammed the Biden administration for what he called an illegal immigration and refugee crisis that rattled the housing market – particularly for low-income renters – though some analysts dispute the findings.
Every two years, HUD releases its “Worst Case Housing Needs Report” – considered the agency’s flagship assessment of the state of the housing market for low-income Americans – and how many lack affordable and adequate housing. The report serves as a nationwide barometer of housing stress and shows whether the availability of affordable housing is improving or worsening, and who may be being hurt by the current conditions, which Congress can then use to craft policy.
Policymakers use it to gauge gaps in the supply of low-cost rentals, target federal housing programs, and understand trends in who is being left behind. In short, it’s HUD’s way of tracking the renters in the greatest need — and how the U.S. housing system is failing to meet them.
Turner told Fox News Digital there are damning findings in this year’s assessment that he places right on the policies of former President Joe Biden’s immigration crisis.
“The unchecked illegal immigration and open borders policies allowed by the Biden administration continue to put significant strain on housing, pricing out American families,” Turner said.
“These policies have plagued America’s housing market, but in President Trump, Americans finally have a leader fighting to restore sanity to American immigration policy.”
©2026 Beverly Newman, Ed. D. All rights reserved.

