Vice President JD Vance told Michigan workers that illegal immigration undercuts their wages and job security, and he tied the fix to making more in America with Michigan hands.
Story Highlights
- Vance said illegal immigration drives down wages and competes with Michigan workers for jobs.
- He linked border enforcement and deportation to protecting paychecks and manufacturing jobs.
- He pledged to “make more in America” and save auto industry jobs for union and shop-floor workers.
- Advocacy groups counter that undocumented workers fill labor gaps, not displace citizens.
Vance Frames Illegal Immigration as a Wage and Jobs Issue in Michigan
Vice President JD Vance used Michigan rallies to argue that illegal immigration puts direct pressure on wages and job openings. He told audiences the answer to a “lack of good jobs” is not importing more people to compete with locals. He said employers use illegal labor to undercut pay. He aimed his message at auto workers, union members, and shop-floor employees across the state. Reporters and transcript services captured these lines in several stops since 2024.
Vance tied the border to the shop floor. He said open borders flood communities with drugs and “cheap labor,” then promised strong enforcement to protect paychecks. He pitched deportations and tighter hiring rules as labor-market defenses. Local outlets recorded him telling illegal immigrants to prepare to leave within six months, describing that as part of restoring fair wages for citizens. His through-line was simple: secure the border, raise wages, and rebuild industry.
“Make More in America” and Save Auto Jobs
At multiple Michigan stops, Vance linked immigration control to a manufacturing revival. He said the country must “make more in America” with the “hands of Michigan workers.” He promised to save American jobs and backed the state’s auto sector as a national priority. His push targeted United Auto Workers members and small suppliers who feel squeezed by global supply chains, high costs, and years of plant closures. Detroit, west Michigan, and suburbs heard a repeated pledge: jobs first, border secure.
Michigan Public and other coverage quoted Vance rejecting the idea that importing more workers solves a job shortage. He said that approach hurts residents who need stable work and better pay. He also argued housing costs rise when illegal immigration increases demand for scarce homes. The message aimed squarely at young families, renters, and first-time buyers who see higher prices and tight supply. The claim focused on common-sense economics rather than complex models, fitting the rally setting.
What the Record Shows and Where It Is Thin
Transcripts and local reports establish what Vance said, and where he said it. They show a steady position over time and across venues. They do not provide detailed Michigan wage studies that pin specific job losses or pay cuts to illegal labor in auto, logistics, or construction. That gap leaves room for policy debate and further research. The claims remain clear and consistent, but the sources are mostly rally transcripts and local write-ups rather than agency or court records.
Things just got incredibly heated in Michigan.
At a campaign rally in Sterling Heights, Vice President .@JDVance completely unloaded on Democratic Senate candidate .@AbdulElSayed for bringing his family into the political crossfire.
The feud exploded after El-Sayed took a… pic.twitter.com/COFS28vRAc
— Erica 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@EricaRN4USA) September 1, 2026
Advocacy groups push back, saying undocumented workers fill vital roles and keep parts of the economy moving. They cite millions of workers in construction, accommodation, and food services, many labeled essential during the pandemic. Their reports claim undocumented labor often complements, rather than replaces, citizen workers. Those broad claims do not answer Michigan’s sector-by-sector picture, but they shape the fight over how policy should weigh labor needs and wage protection for citizens.
Why It Resonates With Working Families
Michigan voters still feel the hit from past plant closures, global offshoring, and higher living costs. Vance’s message connects border control to take-home pay, housing costs, and the promise of stable, skilled work. He speaks directly to welders, machinists, drivers, and line workers who want factories humming again. The argument fits a wider push by the Trump administration to secure the border, enforce hiring laws, and rebuild American industry so family wages can rise with production on U.S. soil.
Sources:
rev.com, youtube.com, michiganpublic.org
