In recent discussions surrounding public health, U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, a Republican from Florida and gubernatorial candidate, attributed the surge of measles cases to what he termed “rampant illegal immigration” during the Biden administration. However, experts in infectious diseases have pointed out that this assertion lacks substantive evidence. Instead, they emphasize that the primary factor driving measles outbreaks in the United States is the declining vaccination rates among children.
Historically, measles had been declared eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, but the landscape has changed markedly in recent years, with cases rising significantly. As of August 30, 2026, there have already been 2,903 confirmed cases, surpassing the total number from the previous year, which hit 2,289 cases—the highest since 1991. This is a stark indication that the country’s status regarding measles elimination is under increasing scrutiny.
During an interview on August 23, 2026, Donalds suggested that the measles outbreaks were directly linked to illegal immigration, imploring that individuals entering the U.S. unlawfully had not followed the proper vaccination schedules. However, health experts, including Professor Noel T. Brewer and Dr. Jonathan L. Temte, have refuted this claim, stating that most measles cases arise from domestic transmission among unvaccinated individuals within the U.S. itself. They stress that immigration has played an insignificant role in the current measles crisis.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the longer a disease is circulating domestically, the fewer cases are imported from abroad. A historical analysis illustrates that the proportion of imported measles cases in the U.S. has decreased over time, with only 6% of cases recently attributed to international travelers. This shift highlights the critical nature of increasing vaccination rates in vulnerable communities across the nation.
Despite Donalds’ claims concerning outbreaks in areas such as El Paso, Texas, and Southwest Florida, investigations reveal no significant connections between these spikes and illegal immigration. For instance, a recent outbreak in Collier County, Florida, linked to a private university, stemmed from an individual’s travel from another state—underscoring that the issue is not immigration-related but rather tied to vaccination rates.
As vaccination rates decline—with just 92.4% of kindergartners having received the MMR vaccine in the 2025-2026 school year, down from previous years—research indicates that these decreases are contributing directly to the rise in measles cases. Experts advocate for strengthened vaccination efforts as a solution to reclaim the U.S.’s measles elimination status, with the Pan American Health Organization set to review this status in November.
Public health experts concur that without substantial improvements in vaccination coverage, it becomes increasingly likely that the U.S. will lose its measles elimination status, further allowing the disease to spread in the community. As measles outbreaks continue in pockets of lower vaccination, focused interventions are urgently needed to ensure community health and prevent further decline.
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