Trevor Lee, a Utah political figure, addressed the issue of homeownership among undocumented immigrants in Utah through a series of posts on April 15, 2026. In his tweets, Lee cited data from national and academic sources to challenge claims about the ability of undocumented immigrants to purchase homes in the state.
On April 15, 2026, Lee wrote: “I’ve been told that illegal immigrants can’t purchase homes in Utah..
The Migration Policy Institute reports that out of the 84,000 foreign nationals without documentation living in Utah in 2019, 37% (33,000) were homeowners. Research from Illinois Wesleyan University found that”
In subsequent posts on the same date, Lee shared two links without additional commentary: “https://t.co/4EihldiyMo” and “https://t.co/8brSKoHQfd”.
The Migration Policy Institute is a nonpartisan think tank providing analysis on migration trends and policies. According to its reporting, tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants reside in Utah and a significant portion own homes. Academic research also indicates that despite federal restrictions preventing undocumented immigrants from accessing federally backed mortgages, private avenues for home financing remain available. These include private lenders who may not require proof of legal residency or Social Security numbers.
Utah has experienced steady population growth driven partly by immigration. State laws do not prohibit undocumented immigrants from purchasing property; rather, eligibility restrictions apply primarily to mortgage products with federal backing.
