WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have announced a new initiative to prevent illegal immigrants from receiving federally subsidized housing.
Under a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Monday, DHS will work with HUD to identify and remove ineligible individuals from public housing programs. This initiative, spearheaded by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and HUD Secretary Scott Turner, aims to prioritize American citizens, particularly veterans and low-income families, for housing assistance.
Cracking Down on Misuse of Public Funds
The collaboration will enhance data sharing between the two agencies to ensure that taxpayer-funded housing is reserved for eligible U.S. residents. Turner emphasized that American citizens should be the primary beneficiaries of public assistance programs, especially amid ongoing housing shortages.
“Every dollar in federal housing assistance should serve American families who need it most,” Turner said. “Through this agreement, we will leverage technology and personnel to uphold existing laws and ensure public housing resources are allocated fairly.”
Ending Incentives for Illegal Immigration
Noem reiterated that stopping the misuse of public benefits is a key priority under the Trump administration, stating that illegal migrants should no longer expect to receive taxpayer-funded benefits.
“The previous administration put illegal migrants ahead of American citizens, including by providing government-subsidized housing at their expense,” Noem said. “That ends now. We will enforce federal laws to eliminate abuse of public assistance programs.”
She also issued a warning: “If you are in this country illegally, you should leave. The free ride is over.”
Data-Driven Approach to Enforce Housing Regulations
HUD cited a report from the Center for Immigration Studies, which found that nearly 59% of illegal migrant households receive some form of government assistance, amounting to $42 billion in taxpayer costs.
Additionally, the agency estimates that at least 9 million residents in public housing currently lack proper verification of eligibility. To address this, HUD has directed the Public and Indian Housing (PIH), Moving to Work (MTW), and Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to comply with federal laws prohibiting financial aid for illegal immigrants.
The new agreement is part of a broader effort to reform public assistance programs, ensuring that federal housing benefits are safeguarded for American families in need .
