DHS, HUD work to end ‘exploitation of housing programs’ by illegal immigrants
The Trump administration has launched a new initiative aimed at combatting what it perceives as the misuse of housing programs by undocumented immigrants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced the establishment of the “American Housing Programs for American Citizens” Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
According to a press release issued by HUD, the MOU is intended to put an end to the “wasteful misappropriation of taxpayer dollars to benefit illegal aliens instead of American citizens.” As part of this agreement, HUD will deploy a full-time staff member to support operations at the Incident Command Center (ICC), fostering a partnership between agencies to facilitate data sharing and ensure that housing programs funded by taxpayers are not being used to harbor or support undocumented immigrants.
This effort comes on the heels of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump last month, which directed government agencies to identify federally-funded programs that may be providing financial benefits to illegal aliens and take corrective action. HUD Secretary Scott Turner emphasized the urgency of addressing the housing crisis in the U.S. and stressed the need to prioritize American citizens in public housing initiatives.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the Biden administration in her remarks, accusing the previous administration of prioritizing illegal immigrants over American citizens by providing taxpayer-funded housing to undocumented individuals. She underscored the importance of cracking down on abuse and exploitation of public benefits, ensuring that those residing in the country illegally do not receive federal benefits or incentives to remain unlawfully.
The collaboration between HUD and DHS aims to leverage resources, including technology and personnel, to safeguard taxpayer resources and uphold the interests of American citizens in public housing programs. The government is committed to identifying and addressing any misuse of public benefits, signaling an end to what Secretary Noem described as a “gravy train” for illegal immigrants.
As the MOU takes effect, the government is poised to strengthen its efforts to enforce immigration laws and protect the interests of American citizens in housing programs. The partnership between HUD and DHS reflects a concerted push to prioritize the needs of legal residents and ensure that taxpayer-funded resources are allocated responsibly.
