59% of Illegal Alien Families On Welfare Programs, Costing $42 Billion: Scott Turner [WATCH]

Housing and Urban Services Secretary Scott Turner said a majority of illegal alien families in the United States rely on taxpayer-funded welfare programs, costing tens of billions of dollars each year and placing significant strain on housing, healthcare, education, and public safety systems.

Turner said roughly 59 percent of illegal alien families use at least one welfare program, at an estimated annual cost of $42 billion.

He argued those funds should instead be focused on helping American citizens achieve independence rather than long-term reliance on government assistance.

“That for you, 59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare program in our country, costing about $42 billion a year,” Turner said.

“So if you think about almost 60% of illegal alien families using our welfare system, one or more of them costing about $42 billion a year, which should be prioritized to help the American people not to remain on subsidies, if you will, but to get a hand up and then to get off of government subsidies to live a life of self sustainability.”

Turner said the financial burden created by illegal immigration affects multiple sectors, including housing availability, affordability, medical services, corrections, and education.

He said the influx of individuals into the country increases demand on systems already under pressure.

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“And so you have housing, you have affordability, you have housing supply, you have medical you have the corrections, you have education,” Turner said.

“And so when you get all of these people coming into our country, it puts a strain on us.”

Turner credited President Donald Trump with restoring fiscal discipline and taking steps to secure the border, saying those actions are already producing positive results across the economy.

He said efforts under the Trump administration are focused on improving affordability and increasing housing supply while reducing the financial impact of illegal immigration.

“But thank God you know, under President Trump’s leadership, we’re getting our fiscal house back in order,” Turner said.

“The border is being secured. Affordability is coming around.”

Turner said he believes the effects of those policies will become more apparent in the coming year, leading to improvements in economic stability and public safety for Americans.

“And I believe that next year, because of the things that have happened thus far in President Trump’s leadership and in this administration, that next year, from a financial standpoint, from an economic standpoint, from a safety standpoint and more, that the American people will begin to thrive once again,” Turner said.

WATCH:

HUD @SecretaryTurner: “59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare programs in our country, costing about $42 billion a year.” pic.twitter.com/x8XWwlOIJl

— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) December 18, 2025