Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner has announced a proposed rule that would require all residents of HUD-funded housing to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. The new rule would also apply to "mixed status households," which include both eligible and ineligible residents.
Secretary Turner stated, “Under President Trump’s leadership, the days of illegal aliens, ineligibles, and fraudsters gaming the system and riding the coattails of American taxpayers are over. HUD’s proposed rule will guarantee that all residents in HUD-funded housing are eligible tenants. We have zero tolerance for pushing aside hardworking U.S. citizens while enabling others to exploit decades-old loopholes.”
The proposal aims to close existing loopholes by prohibiting HUD funding from supporting illegal aliens and noncitizens who do not meet eligibility requirements. According to HUD, these changes would ensure that taxpayer-funded benefits go only to American citizens or those with eligible status.
Currently, only about one quarter of households eligible for HUD assistance actually receive it. A recent audit conducted by HUD and the Department of Homeland Security found nearly 200,000 tenants in assisted housing whose eligibility could not be verified or was incomplete. Additionally, approximately 24,000 individuals identified as illegal aliens or otherwise ineligible were found living in 20,000 mixed status households benefiting from HUD assistance.
This initiative is part of broader efforts by HUD to protect federal housing benefits for American citizens and implement President Trump’s Executive Order “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.” This year, Secretary Turner signed a memorandum of understanding with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem aimed at preventing taxpayer funds from being used for the benefit of illegal aliens. Other measures include nationwide audits requiring public housing authorities and property owners to take corrective action within 30 days; revising FHA residency requirements so that only American citizens can obtain HUD-backed loans; demanding verification of immigration and citizenship status for all residents; and launching a hotline (1-800-347-3735) for reporting suspected illegal activity in HUD-funded housing.
For more information on voluntary self-deportation programs provided by Customs and Border Protection (CBP), visit https://www.cbp.gov/contact/assistance-self-deport-procedures.
