New Federal Reserve Analysis Confirms: Biden-Era Illegal Immigration Surge Drove Up Housing Costs for Rhode Islanders
PROVIDENCE, RI – A new working paper from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas concludes that the unprecedented surge in illegal immigration from 2021 through early 2024 triggered approximately 30% of the increase in home prices and rents in affected areas. The preliminary draft, circulated for comment among the Board of Governors, underscores the damaging impact of open-border policies on American families and housing affordability.
“Rhode Islanders have witnessed and felt the financial strain of the massive influx of illegal immigrants into our country and state over the 2021-2024 timeframe,” said Vic Mellor. “All of our benefit programs have groaned under the weight, as state and federal taxpayer money was used to settle and support illegal immigrants. Now we can quantify the harmful effects on housing. Rents have increased significantly due to the competition from government-supported housing for illegal immigrants that competes for apartments with our native sons and daughters. The government pays more, so our citizens suffer.”
Mellor continued, “Our state’s Democrat leaders are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to build subsidized housing to solve the problem. All they needed to do was seal the border.”
Despite the clear data, Democrat leaders continue to resist commonsense action. U.S. Rep. Seth Magaziner is no moderate on this issue. In fact, he consistently votes the party line. He voted No on the Secure America Act and on the No Housing Welfare for Illegal Aliens Act and No on the End FEMA Benefits for Illegal Immigrants ACT. He has also voted repeatedly to defund ICE and Border Patrol. It’s clear that Magaziner is a hyper-partisan who doesn’t understand the struggles our graduates endure to find adequate housing at a reasonable price.
“When I am elected to Congress, I will vote for the best interests of all Rhode Islanders,” Mellor stated. “I’ll vote to keep the border sealed and strengthen our abused visa policy. I’ll vote to send criminal aliens home and stop the flow of dangerous drugs across our borders. I will protect and defend the people of our great state.”
The effects of unchecked illegal immigration extend beyond housing to strained welfare programs, emergency services, and taxpayer-funded supports. Rhode Island families deserve leaders who prioritize American citizens, secure borders, and fiscal responsibility.
