The Trump administration has announced new measures to prevent illegal migrants from living in public housing, calling it a “wasteful misappropriation” of taxpayer money. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday to increase cooperation between their agencies.
Under this agreement, DHS will identify illegal migrants who are ineligible for federal housing assistance and share that information with HUD. Turner emphasized that taxpayer funds should prioritize American citizens, particularly given the ongoing housing crisis. He stated that this initiative will use technology and personnel to ensure that public housing benefits are reserved for Americans.
Noem criticized the Biden administration, accusing it of prioritizing illegal migrants over US citizens. She asserted that the government will now focus on stopping abuse of public benefits and discouraging undocumented immigrants from staying in the country. “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over,” Noem declared.
HUD referenced data from the Center for Immigration Studies, which suggests that 59% of illegal migrant households receive at least one government welfare benefit, amounting to an estimated $42 billion in costs. The agency also noted that at least 9 million public housing residents may not have had their eligibility status properly verified.
Additionally, Turner has instructed Public and Indian Housing (PIH), Moving to Work (MTW), and Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to enforce existing federal laws that prohibit financial aid for illegal migrants in HUD-funded programs.
This move aligns with Trump’s broader crackdown on illegal immigration, reinforcing his administration’s stance on prioritizing American citizens in housing and social welfare policies.