In a recent interview with the New York Times, Senator JD Vance put forward a controversial approach to address America’s persistent immigration and housing issues. The Ohio Republican proposed utilizing millions of American men who have exited the labor force, rather than depending on illegal immigrants to fill essential positions in sectors such as construction.
BREAKING: JD Vance critiques New York Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro’s excuses for allowing “25 million” illegals to steal Americans jobs. pic.twitter.com/qeJt2NgblJ
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) October 12, 2024
Vance contended that the U.S. shouldn’t rely on low-cost immigrant labor. He supported President Donald Trump’s plan to deport all individuals living in the country illegally, estimating their number to be around 25 million.
His remarks were made during a podcast interview with New York Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro, who raised concerns about how the nation would address its housing crisis without undocumented workers.
Garcia-Navarro noted that about a third of the construction workforce in America is Hispanic, with many being undocumented.
In response, Vance referenced the 1960s, a period characterized by low illegal immigration when Americans still managed to build homes.
He criticized the notion that undocumented labor is the only solution for home construction, labeling it a “deranged” mindset stemming from illegal immigration.
NYT reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro sits in silence as JD Vance educates her on the labor force participation rate relating to illegal immigration.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 12, 2024
Garcia-Navarro tried arguing that illegal immigrants can't be deported because America needs them for jobs.
She pointed to the… pic.twitter.com/SiNwyldSwR
The senator emphasized an important statistic: around 7 million American men have completely exited the labor force. He argued that these individuals could potentially take on the jobs held by undocumented workers if they were offered living wages.
“Americans won’t do those jobs for below-the-table wages, they won’t do those jobs for non-living wages. But people will do those jobs. They will just do those jobs at certain wages,” Vance stated.
He further asserted that the reliance on illegal labor rather than employing American workers is “one of the biggest drivers of inequality” and has contributed to “the erosion of the American middle class.”
Vance’s remarks generated discussion on social media, with supporters lauding his stance, while critics raised concerns about the practicality of his proposal.
JD Vance shuts up New York Times reporter Lulu Garcia-Navarro after she asked him if Donald Trump lost the 2020 election.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) October 12, 2024
Brilliant.
Garcia-Navarro: "Senator, yes or no. Did Donald Trump lose the 2020 election?"
Vance: "Let me ask you a question: Is it okay that big… pic.twitter.com/OkpMxNLu6F
The senator’s position aligns with the potential immigration policies of a Trump-Vance administration, which would seek to expel all illegal and undocumented immigrants from the U.S.
The Ohio Republican also proposed that deporting illegal immigrants could help address the housing crisis by making more homes available for American citizens.
He blamed the current administration’s border policies for the influx of illegal laborers, stating, “We cannot have an entire American business community that is giving up on American workers and then importing millions of illegal laborers.”
“That is what we have thanks to Kamala Harris’s border policies,” he continued.
Vance’s remarks underscore the ongoing debate over immigration, labor, and housing in America.
While his proposal has received backing from certain conservative groups, it has also drawn criticism from those who contend that such a significant change could lead to serious economic repercussions.
“Gotta give credit to Vance for doing these types of interviews,” one X user said.
“Garcia-Navarro, who is supposed to be unbiased, argued with him almost the entire time, and he just sat there calmly and took it.”
Gotta give credit to Vance for doing these types of interviews. Garcia-Navarro, who is supposed to be unbiased, argued with him almost the entire time, and he just sat there calmly and took it. Harris and Walz haven't accepted any adversarial interviews like this and never will. https://t.co/Wu5A3piOPZ
— Thomas Schumacher (@SchumacherTommy) October 13, 2024
“Harris and Walz haven’t accepted any adversarial interviews like this and never will.”