The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have announced a formal initiative to prevent illegal immigrants from accessing federal housing programs. The agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today establishing data-sharing protocols and interagency cooperation aimed at targeting what officials describe as widespread misuse of taxpayer-funded housing benefits. The initiative follows earlier policy actions by the Trump administration to end federal assistance for individuals residing in the country illegally.
The MOU outlines the formation of the “American Housing Programs for American Citizens” initiative and comes in the wake of a February executive order signed by President Donald Trump directing federal agencies to identify and eliminate benefits being accessed by noncitizens. As HUD Secretary Scott Turner stated, “This agreement will leverage resources including technology and personnel to ensure American people are the only priority when it comes to public housing.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem added, “If you are an illegal immigrant, you should leave now. The gravy train is over.”
According to HUD, roughly 9 million people currently reside in federally subsidized housing. Data from the Center for Immigration Studies suggests that approximately 59% of noncitizen households access at least one form of public assistance, potentially costing taxpayers up to $42 billion annually. Officials noted that during the previous administration, tens of millions of federal dollars were used to house migrants in hotels and other temporary accommodations. The Center for Immigration Studies has long advocated for reforms to public benefit access.
As part of the implementation strategy, HUD will assign a full-time staff member to the federal Incident Command Center to enhance information exchange between agencies. Additionally, Turner directed all HUD-funded service providers to comply with Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, which prohibits aid to individuals not lawfully present in the United States. Details of Section 214 clarify eligibility restrictions for federal housing benefits.
Noem emphasized that the Biden administration “prioritized illegal aliens over our own citizens, including by giving illegal aliens taxpayer-funding housing at the expense of Americans.” The Trump administration’s broader effort to restrict benefits to citizens reflects a return to prior enforcement strategies and a renewed focus on what it calls the “wasteful misappropriation” of resources. Turner stated, “We will continue to work closely with DHS to maximize our resources and put American citizens first.”
The joint HUD-DHS effort also supports Trump’s February directive, which mandates government agencies take “corrective action” where illegal immigrants are found to be benefiting from federal programs. With bipartisan debate over immigration policy continuing in Congress, legal experts anticipate that enforcement of this initiative could be challenged on procedural grounds. Nonetheless, agency leaders expressed firm intent to proceed. HUD’s public assistance eligibility page provides further details on policy criteria.
