The Trump administration is directing public housing authorities to conduct audits to ensure that federally funded housing is not being provided to illegal immigrants.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner announced that housing authorities nationwide have 30 days to verify the citizenship or eligible immigration status of residents in public housing units.
“No longer will illegal aliens be able to leave citizenship boxes blank or take advantage of HUD-funded housing, riding the coattails of hardworking American citizens,” Turner said in a statement, according to Fox News. “Currently, HUD only serves one out of four eligible families due, in part, to the lack of enforcement of prohibition against federally funded assistance to illegal aliens.”
Programs found not in compliance could be at risk of an “examination” of their federal funding. Turner said the DC Housing Authority was the first to be placed on notice and that more than 3,000 others have been informed of the same requirements. He emphasized that “American citizens will be prioritized.”
The move received support from conservatives, including Ohio’s Nestor Bernis Moreno, who posted on X, “Anyone in this country illegally should be deported, not given publicly funded housing!”
Critics argue the effort is redundant. Former HUD employee Cat Vielma wrote that proof of citizenship is already required for public housing and Section 8 assistance.
“Requiring a second, immediate accounting will not provide a massive correction or eviction. It will simply divert staff from serving American seniors, vets etc,” Vielma argued.
The crackdown follows a March memorandum signed by Turner and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem targeting public housing following the surge of illegal immigration under the previous administration.
“The entire government will work together to identify abuse and exploitation of public benefits and make sure those in this country illegally are not receiving federal benefits or other financial incentives to stay illegally,” Noem said. “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”
