HUD, DHS join forces to prevent illegal immigrants from utilizing public housing
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner and Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem have come together to launch a groundbreaking inter-agency initiative aimed at preventing federal housing funds from being allocated to illegal immigrants. The partnership, solidified by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, seeks to put an end to what they describe as the “wasteful misappropriation” of taxpayer-funded public housing resources that should rightfully be allocated to U.S. citizens. This new initiative will facilitate the sharing of data between the two agencies through enhanced lines of communication, with a specific focus on ensuring that U.S. veterans receive the support they deserve.
“American tax dollars should be utilized for the benefit of American citizens, especially in addressing critical issues such as our nation’s housing crisis,” stated Turner on Monday. “Through this new agreement, we will leverage resources, including technology and personnel, to prioritize American citizens in the realm of public housing. Our collaboration with DHS will enable us to maximize our resources and place the needs of American citizens at the forefront.”
According to HUD, approximately 9 million individuals reside in subsidized housing across the United States. Meanwhile, data reveals that around 59% of noncitizen households, which encompass green card holders and undocumented immigrants, rely on one or more public assistance programs, amounting to an annual cost of up to $42 billion to taxpayers, as reported by the Center for Immigration Studies. During the Biden administration, tens of millions of dollars were allocated to housing for migrants, including fully funded stays at hotels for some individuals. In response to this, several states, such as Pennsylvania and Arizona, passed measures aimed at safeguarding public housing resources for American citizens in need.
President Donald Trump, shortly after taking office, issued an executive order calling for an end to the utilization of public resources by illegal immigrants. Secretary Noem emphasized the necessity of this new initiative, stating, “The Biden Administration placed illegal aliens above our own citizens, including by providing taxpayer-funded housing to illegal immigrants at the expense of Americans. This will no longer be tolerated. The entire government is committed to identifying and addressing any abuse or exploitation of public benefits to ensure that individuals in the country illegally do not receive federal benefits or incentives to remain unlawfully. If you are an illegal immigrant, it is time to depart. The era of receiving unwarranted benefits is over.”
As part of this groundbreaking initiative, HUD will assign a full-time staff member to support operations at the federal government’s Incident Command Center, which serves as a hub for information exchange between agencies during national emergencies. Additionally, in alignment with the establishment of this new initiative, Secretary Turner has mandated that various federal housing programs under his jurisdiction comply with Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980. This provision prohibits HUD-funded service providers from offering assistance to illegal immigrants, ensuring that resources are directed to those who are lawfully entitled to them.
The collaboration between HUD and DHS underscores a commitment to safeguarding the welfare of American citizens and upholding the integrity of federal housing resources. By working together to address the misuse of public funds and prioritize the needs of U.S. citizens, these two agencies are taking proactive steps to ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized responsibly and ethically.
