evidence: Rep. Mo Brooks and potential presidential hopeful Ben Carson both suggested a connection between illegal immigration and the spread of diseases such as measles in the United States. Though it is often difficult to pinpoint precise origins of disease outbreaks, there is no evidence supporting a link between the recent outbreaks and illegal immigration. [...] The measles outbreak in the U.S., which includes most of the 102 cases in 14 states between Jan. 1 and Jan. 30 this year, likely did originate from outside this country. Whether it came from an immigrant living in the U.S. illegally, however, is unknown. According to Anne Schuchat, an assistant surgeon general and director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, illegal immigration is not the likely culprit.