Vance Links Immigration to Social Cohesion at Town Hall

Vice President JD Vance said high levels of immigration can change the United States “in very profound ways,” as Michigan voters pressed him on immigration enforcement, jobs, energy costs and the Iran war at a CBS News town hall aired Saturday evening, Oct. 17, 2026. He defended enforcement while saying the administration must balance law enforcement with humane treatment. He also argued employers can gain too much power when workers on H-1B visas fear losing their jobs and being sent home.

The hour-long event, hosted by “CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil, brought questions from Michigan voters about the cost of living, corruption and Vance’s political future. Michigan helped propel Vance and President Trump to victory in 2024. It’s also the site of a close Senate race that could help decide control of the upper chamber in the following month’s midterm elections.

Immigration, workers and community

Sister Nancy Sylvester, a member of the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, asked Vance how he would justify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics to people of faith, and what policies he would support to encourage more compassionate treatment of immigrants. Vance said the administration was trying to balance enforcement with humane conduct, adding that doing too little enforcement could “empower some of the worst people in the world.”

He described most ICE agents as “amazing people who are patriots,” while acknowledging that some “make mistakes” or “really screw up.” Vance said the government had a responsibility to investigate and prosecute misconduct. He added that cases had led ICE to provide further training or impose disciplinary action.

Asked about his comparison of some employment-based H-1B visa holders to “foreign indentured servants,” Vance said his rhetoric had been imperfect and that he wasn’t criticizing visa holders. He criticized employers who, he said, may lay off an American worker and bring in someone who risks losing a job and being sent back to their country of origin if they complain or disagree with a boss. “And I think that gives employers way too much power,” he said.

Vance said his goal wasn’t to dehumanize immigrants. He said he wanted the country to retain “some baseline of social cohesion and sense of community,” adding that when too many people come to the United States, “even if they’re very good people,” the country changes in profound ways.

Household costs and national policy

Sandy Johnson, who owns a family entertainment center, told Vance her business was “barely making ends meet” and asked when the “normal American has money to spend on small businesses.” Vance blamed what he called a bipartisan, multi-generational failure to invest in American workers and manufacturing, along with jobs moving overseas. “If all the good jobs are overseas, then people here in Michigan can’t spend money at your family business,” he said.

Vance pointed to promised new foreign investment and growth plans by General Motors, Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis. He said the country was “turning the tide,” but cautioned that fixing problems not created in one presidential term would take more than 18 months. Manufacturing employment had remained roughly flat, while inflation remained above the Federal Reserve’s 2%-per-year target and cut into Americans’ wages.

A Michigan resident living across the street from a data center said its constant buzzing had made opening windows “a luxury that we could no longer enjoy.” Vance said data centers could bring benefits, but should act as “good community citizens,” contribute more tax revenue to local governments and avoid raising residential utility bills. “Some of the economic benefits they’re generating, they can’t just go to a few tech billionaires,” he said. “It has to go to the community writ large.”

Iran war, accountability and political questions

Vance acknowledged that “gas prices are too high right now.” He said Iran’s attacks on oil tankers had threatened world energy supplies and argued that U.S. military efforts were allowing ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. He said gas prices would fall when the conflict ended, while defending the administration’s effort to secure a “final firm commitment from the Iranians that they’re not going to rebuild their nuclear program.”

The war had killed 21 U.S. service members and injured hundreds. Joey Amor, whose wife, Master Sgt. Nicole Amor, was among six U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed by an Iranian strike in Kuwait, asked about reports that the facility had not been adequately secured. Vance said he didn’t doubt there had been failures, promised to take them seriously and said the administration had changed troop tactics and locations to address risks from drones.

Vance said he hadn’t decided whether to run for president in 2028. Asked if he might not run, he replied, “Of course there’s a chance.” He said he and his wife, Usha Vance, have four young children, and that she “has never loved politics,” though “she loves public service.” On corruption allegations raised during the town hall, Vance said he hadn’t seen evidence that Trump participated in or sanctioned corruption. He said anyone selling access to the White House should face consequences, and that he would “follow the law” if a Democratic Congress launched investigations and issued subpoenas.