Are U.S. measles outbreaks caused by illegal immigration?

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention pointed to vaccination gaps as the reason for recent measles outbreaks, not illegal immigration.

Florida GOP gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds appeared on CBS’ Aug. 23 Face the Nation, where he claimed measles outbreaks in parts of the country are “because of rampant illegal immigration into the United States from the previous administration.”

The CDC said the contagious disease can easily cross borders, meaning anyone not vaccinated against measles can catch it while abroad and spread it when they return home.

When assessing measles cases in the first half of 2025, the CDC noted that 92% of the 800 cases at the time were from U.S. residents returning to the country after traveling –– not illegal immigrants.

As of Aug. 20, nearly 2,800 confirmed measles cases have been reported in the U.S. this year, already surpassing last year’s total of 2,289.