Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance said the illegal immigrant crisis in the U.S. is a “theft of the American dream.”

“We see this in small communities, we see this in big cities all over our country,” Mr. Vance, running mate of former President Donald Trump, said at a rally in Michigan Wednesday.

“When you let in 25 million people, you know what that does? It stresses municipal budgets. So a lot of cities and towns can’t afford to provide for their own citizens because they’re focused on providing for people that shouldn’t be here,” he said.

He talked about the lengthening of hospital wait times and the rising cost of homes due to the influx of immigrants in the country.

“When you let in 25 million illegal aliens and they compete with Americans for scarce homes, that drives up the cost of housing and that is a major cost of the housing crisis,” he said.

“American homes for American people,” he said.

He said the “Donald Trump plan and the Donald Trump message” to illegal immigrants is: “In six months, pack your bags because you’re going home.”

He went on to mention Mexican drug cartels along the border engaging in sex trafficking, and the increase in fentanyl found in the country.

“You know what’s compassionate? Closing that border down and putting the interest of American citizens first,” he said in Auburn Hills.

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.